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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP; "Indian People's Party") is one of the largest political parties in India. In the 12th Lok Sabha ( 1999- 2004) it was the single largest party with 179 (out of 545) members. It is the successor party of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh (BJS; "Indian Peoples Alliance", often referred to as just the Jan Sangh), which merged itself into the Janata Party in 1977. The BJP was formed as a separate party in 1980 after internal differences in the Janata Party resulted in the collapse of its government in 1979.Founder (of BJS): Syama Prasad Mookerjee ( 1901- 1953)
right Lok Sabha elections 2004, click for full image
Presidents:
- Lal Krishna Advani - 2004-( 2007)
- Venkaiah Naidu - 2002-2004
- Jana Krishnamurthy - 20012001 is a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar), and also: The International Year of the Volunteer The United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations Events January January 1 A black monolith measuring approximately nine feet tall ap- 2002
- Bangaru Laxman - 2000This page is about the year 2000. See 2000 AD for the UK comic book, Number 2000 for other uses. 2000 is a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar), and also the International Year for a Culture of Peace''. Events Y2K passes without the seri- 20012001 is a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar), and also: The International Year of the Volunteer The United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations Events January January 1 A black monolith measuring approximately nine feet tall ap
- Kushabhau Thakre - 19981998 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of the Ocean''. Events January January 1998 A massive ice storm, caused by El Nino, strikes New England, southern Ontario and Quebec, resulting- 2000This page is about the year 2000. See 2000 AD for the UK comic book, Number 2000 for other uses. 2000 is a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar), and also the International Year for a Culture of Peace''. Events Y2K passes without the seri
- Lal Krishna Advani - 1993- 1998
- Murali Manohar Joshi - 1991- 1993
- Lal Krishna Advani - 1986- 1991
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee - 1980- 1986
It is the dominant component of the National Democratic Alliance. As the largest party in opposition former party president and Deputy Prime Minister in the previous government Lal Krishna Advani is the leader of the opposition in the 13th Lok Sabha. The party has close ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) organization.
The BJP considers itself to be a secular party and defines Hindutva not in terms of religion but as Indian-ness. According to the party this is in consonance with the root meaning of the word Hindu .
In 2002, Abdul Kalam, architect of the Indian nuclear programme, was nominated by the BJP, being a Muslim to become President of India and he won the subsequent elections for the post. This nomination is seen by many as an indication of BJP's Multi-religious organization. There are other prominent leaders such as Mukthar Abbas Naqvi , a Muslim.
Following the 2004 elections, the NDA was confronted with its failure to secure sufficient seats to form a government. There were significant setbacks in rural states, but the BJP also had major reversals in key urban centres including Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi and Chennai. This electoral shock was due to its perceived inability to extend the benefits of strong economic growth to a broader range of the populace. Disaffection was particularly evident amongst the rural electorate, suffering under the pressures of drought, a dearth of infrastructure investment, and relative impoverishment. The mantle of power has thus passed to the alliance headed by the United Progressive Alliance.
