Narendra Modi: From Humble Start To India's Likely Prime Minister
Narendra Modi looks almost certain to be India's next prime minister as his Bharatiya Janata Party headed toward a landslide victory Friday in India's just-concluded parliamentary elections.
Modi is praised for the strong economic growth in Gujarat state, where he's been chief minister since 2001. But religious riots there in 2002 are a dark cloud over his legacy.
Here are some things to know about Modi.
Background
In a country known for political dynasties, Modi's rise has been stunning. He's the son of a tea vendor who, as a young man, joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a Hindu nationalist organization, and rose quickly through its ranks. Modi's BJP is closely allied with the group.
He is married, but did not acknowledge his wife's existence until April when he filed his nomination papers — even though her existence was widely reported for years.
Modi became chief minister 13 years ago in Gujarat, roughly equivalent to the governor of an American state, and during his tenure made it one of India's best-performing states economically. He is known to be self-disciplined and austere.
Economics
Modi, as NPR's Julie McCarthy reported last year, is seen by many as a "pro-business go-getter." In the words of the writer William Dalrymple:
"[U]nder his stewardship, the economy of the state of Gujarat, for which he has been chief minister since 2001, has nearly tripled in size. He also has a reputation for decisiveness, getting things done, rooting out corruption, stimulating investment and slashing through the bureaucratic red tape and outdated, cumbersome regulations."