The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is one of India’s largest and most influential political parties today, but its journey to becoming a political powerhouse has been long and complex. From its origins in the 1980s to its current position as a dominant force in Indian politics, the BJP’s rise is a tale of strategic shifts, ideological evolution, and effective leadership.
The party has played a critical role in shaping the country’s political discourse, not only at the national level but also at the state level, and has been instrumental in the growth of India’s political landscape. This article takes a closer look at the rise of Bharatiya Janata Party, tracing its historical roots, key events, and the strategies that helped it emerge as a leading political force in India.
Origins of the BJP: From Janata Party to Bharatiya Janata Party
To understand the rise of the BJP, we must first look at its origins. The BJP did not emerge from nowhere; it has deep roots in the political history of post-independence India. The party’s journey began in 1977, following the Emergency imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The Emergency, which lasted from 1975 to 1977, saw the suspension of civil liberties and the imprisonment of political leaders, which caused widespread unrest.
In 1977, opposition parties came together to form the Janata Party, an alliance united against Indira Gandhi’s rule. The Janata Party won the 1977 elections, and Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister of India. However, the Janata Party was short-lived, with internal conflicts and ideological differences leading to its collapse by 1980.
After the collapse of the Janata Party, its main constituent, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), which had been founded in 1951 by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, re-emerged. The Bharatiya Jana Sangh had always advocated for the promotion of Hindu nationalism and was aligned with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization. In 1980, this faction rebranded itself as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani.
The early years of the BJP were marked by its struggle to establish itself in a political landscape dominated by the Indian National Congress. However, the party’s ideological commitment to Hindutva (Hindu nationalism), strong opposition to the Congress party, and its emphasis on traditional Indian values began to carve a distinct identity for itself.
BJP’s Rise in the 1990s: The Ram Mandir Movement
The 1990s were a turning point for the BJP. Under the leadership of L.K. Advani, the BJP adopted a more aggressive stance on issues related to Hindu identity. One of the most significant events that marked the rise of the BJP during this period was the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
In 1990, L.K. Advani launched the infamous Ram Rath Yatra, a journey that aimed to mobilize Hindus across India in support of the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The site, where the Babri Masjid had stood, was claimed by Hindus as the birthplace of Lord Ram, but Muslims also regarded it as a place of worship. This issue had been a matter of religious and political controversy for decades, but Advani’s yatra turned it into a nationwide campaign that resonated with millions of Hindus.
The Ram Janmabhoomi movement was a game-changer for the BJP. It allowed the party to build a mass base among Hindu voters by tapping into religious sentiments. It also helped the BJP position itself as the champion of Hindu rights, in contrast to what they perceived as the Congress party’s appeasement of Muslim interests. This strategy attracted millions of new supporters, particularly in northern and western India.
The culmination of this movement occurred in December 1992, when a large group of Hindu activists demolished the Babri Masjid, leading to nationwide communal riots. This event further polarized Indian politics along religious lines and cemented the BJP’s image as a party closely tied to Hindu nationalist ideologies.
In the 1991 elections, the BJP made a major breakthrough, winning 119 seats in the Lok Sabha, a significant increase from its earlier performance. This success set the stage for the party’s future rise, although it still faced stiff competition from the Congress party and regional players.
The BJP’s First Government: 1996-2004
By the mid-1990s, the BJP had established itself as a formidable political force, but its real breakthrough came in 1996. The party emerged as the largest single party in the Lok Sabha, although it did not have a majority. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the party’s leader, became the Prime Minister for a brief period, but his government fell within 13 days due to a lack of majority.
Despite this early setback, the BJP’s influence continued to grow. In 1998, the party, along with its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), formed a coalition government under Vajpayee’s leadership. The BJP’s victory in the 1998 elections marked a significant shift in India’s political landscape. The party’s rise was now undeniable, and it was firmly entrenched in national politics.
During Vajpayee’s tenure, the BJP made several key contributions to India’s development. One of the most significant events during this period was India’s nuclear tests in 1998, which established India as a nuclear power and gave the country a new sense of security and prestige on the global stage. Vajpayee also initiated key infrastructure projects and pursued economic reforms that contributed to India’s growth.
However, the BJP-led government faced challenges as well, including internal conflicts within the coalition and growing concerns about religious polarization, especially after the 2002 Gujarat riots, which were widely criticized for being mishandled by the state government, led by Narendra Modi.
Despite the controversies, Vajpayee’s leadership and the BJP’s economic and foreign policy successes led the party to another victory in the 1999 general elections. The NDA government, under Vajpayee, completed a full five-year term, which was a significant achievement in India’s political history, where coalition governments were often unstable.
The Modi Era: A New Chapter for the BJP
The rise of Narendra Modi, the current Prime Minister of India, marked a new era for the BJP. Modi, who had previously served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, emerged as the party’s most prominent leader by the early 2010s. His leadership and ability to connect with voters, particularly the youth and the urban middle class, helped catapult the BJP to unprecedented heights.
In the 2014 general elections, Modi led the BJP to a historic victory, securing 282 seats on its own and forming a majority government. Modi’s promise of “Achhe Din” (Good Days) resonated with millions of voters, and his campaign focused on issues like development, economic growth, and national security. Modi’s image as a strong, decisive leader helped him attract a broad base of support.
The BJP’s victory in 2014 was not just a political triumph; it marked a shift in India’s political discourse. The BJP’s dominance, particularly in the Hindi heartland, was strengthened by its focus on nationalism, economic reforms, and Hindutva. Modi’s leadership brought a sense of political stability and confidence to the BJP, and the party’s popularity soared.
In the 2019 general elections, the BJP repeated its success, securing 303 seats and further consolidating its hold on power. Under Modi’s leadership, the BJP has also expanded its reach in states that were once considered strongholds of regional parties or the Congress party.
Conclusion: Rise of Bharatiya Janata Party
The rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party is a remarkable story of political transformation and strategic success. From its roots in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh to its emergence as the dominant political force in India, the BJP’s journey has been shaped by ideological shifts, leadership changes, and a careful balancing of issues related to religion, development, and nationalism.
Under the leadership of figures like L.K. Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Narendra Modi, the BJP has managed to build a broad-based political coalition that spans across different regions and demographics. The party’s emphasis on Hindu nationalism, coupled with a focus on development and governance, has struck a chord with large sections of India’s population.
While the BJP’s rise has been marked by controversies, including concerns over religious polarization and its handling of communal issues, its influence on Indian politics cannot be overstated. The BJP has reshaped India’s political landscape and continues to be a dominant force, with its future shaping the course of the country’s democratic journey.
