BIRTH:
After Rajiv Gandhi came to power in 1984, following a sympathy wave on Indira Gandhi's demise,
he embarked on a spree of accords in the troubled areas of the country He signed an agreement
with Shri Longowal of the Akali Dal, but never implemented it. He signed an Assam agreement
that left millions of Bangla infiltrators this side of the border.
However, the BJP lost no time in preparing for the next round. It appointed a high power
Working Group to study the results of the 1984 elections and recommend remedial action. The
Party streamlined its organisation. It re-pledged itself to "Integral Humanism". It urged
early and comprehensive electoral reform. And it highlighted the problem of massive
infiltration from Bangladesh. Within two years of Rajiv Gandhi's coming to office the BJP
had slapped on him a 50-count chargesheet.
After the Rajiv Gandhi government fell out of favour with the Indian electorate following
the charges levied by the Bofors scandal, Mr VP Singh formed the Janata Dal as a coalition
party with sevceral like minded parties in 1989. The open rebellion of Mr Singh against
Mr Rajiv Gandhi earned him the favour of most Indians, leading to his victory in 1989.
The BJP, which had won just 2 seats in 1984 won 83 seats in 1989, due to a wise decision taken
on seat adjustments with Mr VP Singh's Janata Dal. In 1991, after the assassination of
Mr Rajiv Gandhi, the BJP won 119 seats due to the support provided by the electorate on the
Ayodhya issue. Analysts also ascribe the success to its wide spread organisation base and
committed cadres.
The Bharatiya Janata Party as it stands today was born in a gradual manner as follows :
Party Year Rationale for birth
Bharatiya Jana Sangh 1951-77 To give ideology a political shape
Janata Party 1977-79 Out of Anti-Congress movement
Bharatiya Janata Party 1980-date Intra-Janata party differences
The very first session of BJP in December 1980 in Bombay, presided over by Shri Vajpayee,
was a glorious success. Addressing this session the Grand Old Man of India, Shri M.C. Chagla,
said: "I am not a member of the party and I am not addressing you as a delegate. Still I
assure you that when I am talking to you I do not feel like an outsider. I honestly and
sincerely feel that I am one of you. The BJP is a national party. I admire your discipline,
your honesty, and your dedication. This huge gathering is Bombay's answer to Indira. This
is the only party that can replace Indira.