Bharatiya Janata Party
Also called: BJP · Topic: Recent Developments in Indian Politics: Coalitions, Mandal and a New Consensus · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 4 "Political Parties"; Class 12, Ch 8 "Recent Developments in Indian Politics"
Meaning
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was formed in 1980 by former Jana Sangh members after the Janata Party broke up. At first it adopted Gandhian socialism. After 1986 it made nationalism central and used Hindutva, a cultural nationalism based on Hindu identity, to win support. Its rise helped turn Indian politics into a contest between two main poles.
Example
- 1984: It won only 2 Lok Sabha seats.
- After the Ram Janmabhoomi movement: It won 85 seats in 1989 and 120 in 1991.
- 1996: It became the largest party.
- 2014 and 2019: It won majorities alone (282, then 303 seats). The 2014 result was the first single-party majority in 30 years.
- 2024: It won 240 seats and depended on NDA allies.
Don't confuse with
- Bharatiya Jana Sangh: this was the BJP's earlier form. It merged into the Janata Party in 1977. The BJP is the new party formed in 1980.