• Centuries problem resolved
• BJP roots in Janasangh
• Shyama Prasad Mukharji established Janasangh in 1951
• Three party alliance formed in 1977 in the name of Jantaparty
• Fall of Janata Government in 1979
• Since 1984 BJP gradually strengthened
• In 1999 alliance government formed under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee
• In 2014 BJP attained full majority under the leadership of Narendra Modi
Construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya is one of the most important promises fulfilled by Bharatiya Janataparty. Like that centuries old religious-dispute which began in Moghul era came to an end and culminated BJP fulfilling decades old poll promise. Not only party succeeded in concluding the dispute and now successfully completed the construction of the temple, which facilitated the holistic development of town Ayodhya. Being prevailed problem for centuries everybody has doubt on this achievement. But Narendramodi finally achieved this success without any hesitation. Some decades back he vowed not to enter into Ayodhya till the construction of Ram Mandir made. Now his vow fulfilled. This achievement not only confined to him but for entire Hindus in the country. In the month of October 2023 he made an announcement regarding the construction of the temple and in 2024, January, 22nd Grand Ram Temple dedicated to millions of devotees around the world with Prime Minister Narendra Modi presiding over the ‘pranprathista’ as the main ‘yagnam’.
During 2024 election campaign Narendra Modi toured around the country and gave much attracted slogan ‘achieve 400 seats’. This gave a chance to Congress led INDIA alliance to counter it by misinterpreting it that if NDA is given such majority, SC/ST/BC reservations will be abolished. This negative campaign got its impact on voters especially in UP people who gave their verdict against BJP which led to loss of most of the seats won during previous elections. Now with 293 seats NDA alliance has been ruling the country. N. Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar parties are extending their support the BJP government.
Bharatiya Janataparty
BJP is a Hindu Nationalist party that formed after Independence. During early years it had strong roots in higher casts in North India. Later party began to fill various party positions with people belong to BCs and tried to prove it as a party of all people. Like that it gradually succeeded in achieving the confidence among the other casts people. Like that its movement began and finally in the years 2014, 2019 and 2024 it attained power in the centre.
The roots of BJP
BJP has its roots in Janasangh which is treated as political wing of RSS. It was established in 1951 by Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukharji. Since then it continued its activities and by 1967 succeeded in achieving considerable strength in some seats in North India. Under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Janasangh merged with two other parties and formed Janata party in 1977. Unfortunately power struggle and conspiracy politics inside the party led to fall of the Government in the year 1979. Later the other parties leaders in the Janata party demanded, Janasangh MPs should not participate in RSS activities. This led to tussle in the party and Janasangh came out and transformed into a new party called Bharatiya Janata Party in the year 1980. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lalkrishna Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi led the party. They had successfully exposed the minority appeasing policies of Congress party under the cover of ‘Secularism’. At the same time they run their politics mainly concentrating on the construction of Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. This campaign facilitated Hindus to get consolidated which caused BJP to achieve 120 seats in 1991 elections.
Finally on 6th, December 1991 the monument at disputed site was demolished and entire country left in dumb stick with this incident. Like that there was another step forward in resolving the problem. Before that BJP stalwart L.K. Advani conducted ‘Rathayatra’ in North India which created vibrations throughout the country which facilitated BJP to gain the recognition in National level through gradually increasing its strong base. In overall this Ramjanmabhoomi movement started generating nation wise buzz ultimately proved to be inflection point for BJP. Palmpur resolution in 1989 for the temple cause made BJP then led by LK Advani aligns with it in his quest for relevance in a landscape dominated by Congress. This pivotal decision imparted a definitive Hindutva edge to the party politics, providing it with a compelling cause celebrate that had been absent till then. At the same time BJP also succeeded in exposing how the political parties greatly neglecting the majority Hindus under the cover of Secularism. With this rigorous campaign most of the Hindus began to realise the importance of construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Became large party in 1996
In months of April and May 1996 General Elections held in three phases. In these elections BJP won 161 seats and became large party among other parties. Then President Shankara Dayal Sharma invited Atal Bihari Vajpayee to form the Government as the leader of largest party in Lok Sabha and gave 15 days to prove his majority. Vajpayee took the sworn as Prime Minister on 15th, May. Later he tried to make alliance with other parties but not succeeded. Then he realised that instead of facing the no-confidence motion and decided to resign. On 13th day he resigned as Prime Minister. Immediately under the leadership of H.D. Devegowda UPA government formed but ultimately collapsed within a year. Next in 1997 under the leadership of Indrakumar Gujral government formed but its life also ended within one year. This instability caused elections in 1998. This time BJP contested in 338 seats against 471 seats in 1996 elections. This time party had shown better performance by winning 182 seats, still long distance away from simple majority. Event alliance government formed within one year it collapsed. Again in 1999 elections held in which BJP managed to won in 182 seats as like in previous elections. This time with forming strong alliance group party was able to form government under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This time Vajpayee government run in full tenure. During 2004 elections NDA group defeated and UPA government formed under the leadership of Manmohan Singh. This government ruled the country in two terms. In these elections BJP lost its seats and won in only 138 seats. Even in the next elections party performance became poor further deteriorating its seats tally in the parliament.
The advent of Narendra Modi
By the time of 2014 elections people were fed up with the rule of UPA Government. Then BJP announced Narendra Modi as its Prime Minister candidate who served as Chief Minister of Gujarat for long period. This time in the months of April and May elections held in phase wise manner. In these elections under the leadership of Narendra Modi BJP recorded great victory by achieving 282 seats which are more than majority mark 272. After a long time this was the first time a single party got full majority. Other NDA partners gained 54 seats. Like that stable government formed in the centre. On 26th, May 2014 Narendra Modi sworn in as Prime Minister.
The progress journey of BJP
If we observe since its split from Janata Party the political journey made by BJP is nothing but a history of success. In 1984 (8th Lok sabha) BJP had only two sets. In 1989 elections (9th Lok Sabha) its seats tally raised to 89 seats. The Rathyatra taken up by L.K. Advani was the main cause for this success. In 1991 (120), in 1996 (160), in 1998 (182), in 1999 (182), in 2004 (138), in 2009 (116) {In these two elections BJP lost its seats with its weak performance}. In 2014 party won 282 seats, in 2019 (303) finally in 2024 it confined to 240 seats only. But with the support of Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar under the leadership of Narendra Modi NDA rule has been continuing.
