Peaks & dips: Key dates in the life of Narendra Modi and his political career

Narendra Modi is now formally BJP's prime ministerial candidate. ET takes a look at some of the key dates in his long eventful political career.

Sep 17, 1950

Born in Vadnagar, as a youth Narendra Damodardas Modi worked in his family’s tea stall, according to a biography

1987

The RSS pracharak joins its political wing, BJP. Modi quickly rises up the ranks.

2001

Replaces Keshubhai Patel as Gujarat CM and has remained in power, becoming Gujarat’s longest-serving CM

Feb 27, 2002

Riots after 59 passengers, mostly Hindu pilgrims, die in a train fire in Godhra. In retaliation, at least 1,000 people, mainly Muslims, are killed. Modi is accused of not doing enough to stem the riots. Referred to as Nero by Supreme Court in verdict while quashing acquittal in Best Bakery case. In 2012, his former minister Maya Kodnani sentenced to 28 years in prison with 30 others in a riot case.

2005

Washington denies Modi a travel visa.

Oct 2008

Modi persuades Tata Motors to move its factory to build Nano car to Gujarat from West Bengal

Feb 2012

A Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team, says investigators found no evidence against Modi in a 2002 riot case.

Oct 22, 2012

UK ends 10-year boycott of Modi after three British citizens were killed in the 2002 riots

Dec 20, 2012

Wins third successive assembly polls for BJP

Jan 7, 2013

EU ends decade-old informal boycott

June 9, 2013

Modi made BJP’s campaign chief

June 16, 2013

Janata Dal (United) breaks 17-year-old alliance with BJP.