Modi sets record for being longest Gujarat CM

Gandhinagar, June 1: Narendra Modi today set a record of heading as Gujarat's Chief Minister for the longest period of time - 2063 days, surpassing late Hitendra Desai's record of 2,062 days.

Mr Modi took over as the state Chief Minister on October 7, 2001 and was still continuing. Modi's current tenure would end in December this year.

Gujarat, created from the Bombay Provinance on May 1, 1960, has seen 14 Chief Ministers in 47 years.

Late Hitendra Desai, the third Chief Minister of the State, was in office from September 19, 1965 to May 13, 1971.

Congress leader Madhavsinh Solanki also has the distinction of heading the State for 2046 days in three innings.

Mr Dilipbhai Parikh of BJP was the Chief Minister for the lowest period of 127 days, from October 28, 1997 to March 4, 1998.

When Mr Modi took charge, the economy was down after a severe earthquake that hit the state on January 26, 2001. However, he created a ''Vibrant Gujarat''and gave a new work culture to State administration by encouraging transparency.

The infamous Godhra riots of 2002 was the black spot in his innings, which was also criticised by top leaders of BJP including the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Mr Modi secured special attention from the Planning Commission and some of his schemes were adopted by other States as well.

Before he took reins as Chief Minister, he never contested any elections.

The other Chief Ministers who headed the State were first Chief Minister Dr Jivraj Mehta (1,236), Balvantrai Mehta (731), Ghanshyam Oza (487), Chimanbhai Patel (1,653), Babubhai J Patel (1,310), Amarsinh Chaudhary (1617), Chhabildas Mehta (389), Keshubhai Patel (1,532), Sureshchandra Mehta (334), Shankarsinh Vaghela (369) and Dilipbhai Parikh (127).

UNI