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Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, 63, has become popular in India’s corporate world where he is seen as a business-savvy, investor-friendly administrator, a charismatic leader who has vigorously encouraged industry to set up factories in Gujarat. But he remains a divisive figure after being accused of doing nothing to stop religious riots in Gujarat in 2002 when mobs killed at least 1,000 people, mainly Muslims.
The son of a tea-stall owner, Modi's journey into politics started young. As a teenager he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Modi joined the BJP in 1987. His first stint as chief minister of Gujarat began in October 2001, when his predecessor Keshubhai Patel had resigned, following the defeat of BJP in the by-elections.
The Hindutva mascot attempted to patch up relations with the Muslim community. In 2011, soon after the apex court refused to pass an order on Modi’s alleged inaction during the 2002 riots, he embarked on a Sadbhavna Mission — seen as an attempt to appease Muslims.
In 2012, Modi performed a hat-trick retaining power for the third time in Gujarat. Modi’s leadership seems to be the BJP’s strongest point and despite several high-profile defections from Gujarat BJP, he turned the 2012 Assembly polls into a complete referendum on himself.
