From the era of Jan Sangh to the leadership of PM Modi, BJP has traveled from floor to heights. In the last 35 years, BJP has not only been running the government in India, but also claims to be the largest party in the world. Behind the glorious present of BJP under the leadership of PM Modi, there is a long struggle of the past, in which there has been a long struggle from Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s Jan Sangh to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani. The name of Ram has made the biggest contribution in the path of BJP’s success. BJP’s political journey from zero to the top has been full of difficulties. But every time the name of Ram has become a support for BJP.
Although BJP was established in 1980, but its foundation was laid by freedom fighter Shyama Prasad Mukherjee in 1951 itself by forming Bharatiya Jana Sangh. However, Jana Sangh did not have any special importance politically. But continuous efforts were being made to strengthen the Jan Sangh to reduce the dominance of the Congress. It is said that the ideology of Jan Sangh was greatly influenced by Hindu nationalism and by following this agenda, it was trying to reduce the dominance of Congress. Since its inception, Jan Sangh had the full support of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which continues even today. In the initial days, Jan Sangh had three demands. First, to implement Uniform Civil Code in the entire country. Secondly, cow slaughter should be banned and thirdly, the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir should be abolished.
Jana Sangh could not achieve success
Apart from Congress, Jan Sangh was continuously trying to find its existence in politics. But it was not able to stand anywhere in front of the popularity of Congress. The party could not achieve anything special in the elections. In 1967, when Deendayal Upadhyay was the General Secretary of Jan Sangh, two leaders entered the Jan Sangh. One was Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the other was Lal Krishna Advani. Meanwhile, in 1968, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was made the president of Jan Sangh.
Merger of Jan Sangh with Janata Party
In 1975, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed emergency in the entire country. Jana Sangh started a movement against the Emergency. Many party leaders were arrested and put in jail. When the Emergency ended in 1977, preparations for the general elections started in the country. During this period, Jan Sangh merged with Janata Party. Congress lost the elections and Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister. Jan Sangh also got a lot of benefit from the merger with Janata Dal. Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the Foreign Minister in the Morarji Desai government.
Establishment of BJP
In political circles, the establishment of BJP is considered to be an epoch-making event for Jan Sangh. In the 1980s, when the Morarji government fell. The big movement against Congress failed, during this period BJP came into existence. On 6 April 1980, a new political party was established in the name of Bharatiya Janata Party. The first president of the new party became Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the youth leader of that time. After the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984, general elections were held in the country. Congress had a bumper victory in this election. However, BJP had won only two seats.
BJP started Ram Mandir movement
Apart from the landslide victory of Congress, BJP had registered its presence by winning two seats. Meanwhile, six years after the establishment of BJP, i.e. in 1986, Lal Krishna Advani became the President of BJP. He launched the Ram Janmabhoomi movement demanding the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Ram’s name became a boon for BJP. In the 1989 Lok Sabha elections, BJP won 86 seats. In the 1991 elections, BJP emerged as the second largest party in the country. BJP hoisted its flag on 120 seats.
Atal became PM for the first time
The political journey of BJP as a political party had started in 1991 itself. After this, in the 1996 Lok Sabha elections, BJP won 161 seats. And became the biggest party in the country. For the first time, BJP formed the government in the country. Atal Bihari Vajpayee became PM under the coalition government. However, due to not getting full majority, Bajpayee could not get the trust vote in the House and the government fell within 13 days. After this, the party won 182 seats in the 1998 elections. Alliance NDA was established and once again Atal Bihari Vajpayee became PM. This time Vajpayee became PM for 13 months. Vajpayee government fell due to minority in Lok Sabha. After the fall of BJP lead NDA government, mid-term elections were held in the country in 1999. Although BJP could not gather majority, this time Atal Bihari Vajpayee remained PM for full 5 years.
BJP remained away from power for 10 years
In the year 2004, general elections were held once again in the country. BJP fought this election on the face of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. But BJP was defeated in the elections. The Congress-led UPA alliance won the elections. After tasting power thrice, Vajpayee sat in the opposition. However, the impact of Mili’s election on Vajpayee’s health was also visible. During this time Lal Krishna Advani came. Whereas Congress Party leader Manmohan Singh was made the PM of the country.
BJP lost again in 2009 elections
After this, in the year 2009, BJP once again had to face defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. Under the leadership of Lal Krishna Advani, BJP was not completely successful in winning the trust of the people. UPA government was once again formed at the centre. Once again Manmohan Singh became the Prime Minister of India. The morale of Congress is very strong due to two consecutive victories.
Modi’s entry into BJP’s central politics
Modi era started in the country from the year 2014. Earlier in the year 2013, after leaving Gujarat, Narendra Modi became active in central politics. BJP contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections under the leadership of Modi. Fulfilling the dream of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, BJP crossed the majority mark at the Center on its own. By winning 282 seats, BJP formed the government at the Center on its own for the first time. However, NDA allies were also included in the government.
BJP’s victory on 303 seats
Even in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the magic of PM Modi worked for the people of India. Due to their strong leadership abilities, people once again placed the crown on BJP and PM Modi. BJP won 303 seats. In its political journey of 35 years, BJP has traveled from the throne to the floor.