Narendra Modi

On October 7, 2001, Narendra Modi was appointed the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Gujarat. This marked the beginning of his significant political rise in India. Before becoming Chief Minister, Modi was a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and had served in various organizational roles. His appointment came during a turbulent time in Gujarat's politics, but Modi was able to stabilize the state government and initiate several economic and infrastructure projects.

On February 27, 2002, the Sabarmati Express train was attacked near the Godhra station. The incident led to widespread religious riots in Gujarat, resulting in significant loss of life and controversy over the handling of the situation by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The Godhra train burning and subsequent riots were pivotal events in Modi's political career, drawing national and international scrutiny towards his administration's response. The riots were extremely controversial, and Modi faced allegations of not doing enough to prevent violence.

On December 20, 2012, Narendra Modi won a fourth term as the Chief Minister of Gujarat after the state legislative assembly elections. This victory was significant as it established him as a strong leader within the BJP and laid the groundwork for his eventual rise to national prominence in Indian politics. Under Modi's administration, Gujarat experienced significant economic growth, and he was often credited for turning the state into an industrial hub, attracting businesses and improving infrastructure.

On May 26, 2014, Narendra Modi was sworn in as the 14th Prime Minister of India. His victory in the 2014 general elections marked a significant political shift in the country, bringing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power with an absolute majority for the first time in three decades. Modi ran on a platform of economic development, anti-corruption, and improving India’s standing on the global stage. His government promised reforms focused on infrastructure, governance, and reviving the economy.

On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetization of all ₹500 and ₹1,000 banknotes of the Mahatma Gandhi Series. The move was aimed at combating black money, counterfeit currency, and corruption, although it led to significant disruption in the economy and garnered mixed reactions. The demonetization effort affected millions, causing tremendous inconvenience and sparking debates on the actual effectiveness and motivation behind the policy. It remains one of the most controversial economic policies undertaken during Modi's tenure.

On June 26, 2017, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was launched at a historic midnight session of the Indian Parliament, replacing multiple cascading taxes levied by the central and state governments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a key role in the implementation of GST, which aimed at streamlining India's complicated tax system and making it more efficient. GST was touted as a revolutionary change in the Indian economy, though it faced both praise for its ambition and criticism for its execution and initial complications faced by businesses.

On May 23, 2019, after the 2019 general elections, Narendra Modi was re-elected as Prime Minister of India. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance secured a landslide victory, winning 303 out of 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, reinforcing Modi's popularity and mandate to lead India. The election's outcome was seen as a continuation of Modi's policies, and his party focused on national security, economic reform, and cultural issues to rally the voters. This victory further solidified Modi's standing as one of India's most powerful leaders in recent history.

On August 5, 2019, the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted special autonomy to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This move was part of Modi's election manifesto and aimed at integrating the region more directly with the rest of India. The decision led to significant political and social ramifications, inciting tensions in the region and prompting criticism from opposition parties and international observers who viewed it as a unilateral and contentious policy action by Modi's administration.

On March 24, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown in India to contain the spread of COVID-19. The immediate and unprecedented measure was intended to enforce social distancing across the country, affecting over 1.3 billion people. It was one of the largest and strictest lockdowns in the world, impacting the economy and daily lives significantly. The lockdown was part of a series of steps taken by Modi’s government to handle the pandemic, including contact tracing, increasing healthcare capacity, and a vaccination rollout.

On November 19, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of the three controversial farm laws that had led to widespread protests by farmers across India. The laws, originally passed in 2020, aimed at deregulating India’s agricultural sector to increase market access for farmers, but were met with significant opposition. The repeal was seen as a major political reversal for Modi’s government, acknowledging the persistent and widespread dissent among the farming community. The decision followed extended dialogues and protests by farmers who feared the loss of income and sovereignty.