In 2001 , Keshubhai Patel 's health was failing and the BJP lost a few state assembly seats in by-elections . Allegations of abuse of power , corruption and poor administration were made , and Patel 's standing had been damaged by his administration 's handling of the earthquake in Bhuj in 2001 . The BJP national leadership sought a new candidate for the chief ministership , and Modi , who had expressed misgivings about Patel 's administration , was chosen as a replacement . Although BJP leader L. K. Advani did not want to ostracise Patel and was concerned about Modi 's lack of experience in government , Modi declined an offer to be Patel 's deputy chief minister , telling Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee that he was " going to be fully responsible for Gujarat or not at all " . On 3 October 2001 he replaced Patel as Chief Minister of Gujarat , with the responsibility of preparing the BJP for the December 2002 elections . Modi was sworn in as Chief Minister on 7 October 2001 , and entered the Gujarat state legislature on 24 February 2002 by winning a by-election to the Rajkot – II constituency , defeating Ashwin Mehta of the INC by 14,728 votes
earthquake in Bhuj in 2001
2001 Gujarat earthquake
Narendra Modi