Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Friday became the longest serving head of Gujarat with the completion of five years and almost eight months of his government, official sources said.

The Modi government, which took over on October 7, 2001, completed 2063 days.

Gujarat, since its formation in 1960 has had as many as 14 chief ministers in 47 years, but no former chief minister of state have served longer.

Prior to Modi, former chief minister Hitendra Desai was the longest serving head of the state, being in power for 2062 days.

Modi's term has seen worst riots in the history of the state in 2002 following the Godhra train carnage and allegations against his government in the fake encounter case of Soharrabudin Sheikh.

On the other hand, Modi has been praised by top industrialists for taking the state to new heights in terms of development.

"I have decided to spend the first day (June 1) of becoming the longest serving chief minister of the state with the tribal people of the state and for their development," Modi told a gathering of tribals at a function in Valod taluka of Surat.

Modi spent the day inaugurating projects in tribal areas of the state.