The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) (Hindi: भारतीय जनता पार्टी [भाजपा]), translation: Indian People's Party) is a major political party in India, founded in 1980. The party is a strong force in Hindu nationalism and advocates conservative social policies, self-reliance, free market economics[citation needed], foreign policy driven by a nationalist agenda, and strong national defense.It is also known for its terrific infighting.
The BJP, in alliance with several other parties, was in power from 1998 to 2004, with Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the Prime Minister and Lal Krishna Advani as his deputy. It is the biggest constituent of the National Democratic Alliance which currently is in the opposition.
History
The BJP is a direct successor of The Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS, Indian People's Union), founded in 1951 by Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a nationalist leader, former Union Minister and freedom-fighter. It was considered the political wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. But the fortunes of the young party took a dip in 1953, when Mookherjee was jailed in Kashmir by then Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. After his death in custody, the BJS lasted for 24 more years, but never seriously challenged the power of Indian National Congress. It did however groom future political leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani.
In the Lok Sabha elections held in 1998 the NDA National Democratic Alliance obtained a simple majority. This time, the BJP (NDA) had allied with the AIADMK and the Biju Janata Dal besides its existing allies, the Samata Party, the Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiv Sena. Outside support was provided by the Telugu Desam Party. The NDA had a slim majority, and Vajpayee returned as Prime Minister. [1] But the coalition ruptured in May 1999 when the leader of AIADMK, Jayalalitha, withdrew her support, and fresh elections were again called.
On October 13, 1999, the BJP-led NDA won 303 seats. The BJP won an all-time high of 183. Vajpayee became Prime Minister for the third time in his life, and Advani became the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. This NDA Government lasted its term of five years. Vajpayee and his economic team, led by Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, continued the policies initiated by the previous Congress Government under P V Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh, pushed through major privatizations of big government corporations, the liberalization of trade under World Trade Organization rules, opening the skies to commercial airlines, foreign investment and ownership and allowed private companies such as Mahindra World City and Reliance to build Special Economic Zones where property developers could build new cities with world-class infrastructure for factories that export products.
The BJP and the NDA suffered a shock defeat in the general elections in 2004, and failed to muster a parliamentary majority. A.B. Vajpayee passed on the prime ministership to Dr. Manmohan Singh of the Congress Party, and its United Progressive Alliance.
In 2009 general elections, BJP again faced defeat and its strength in Lok Sabha reduced to 116 seats. The unexpected defeat of BJP is attributed to bad performance of party in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh.
Achievements
In 2004, the Government signed the South Asia Free Trade Agreement with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, a decision intended to vastly benefit over 1.6 billion people.
BJP's political alliances and their consequent dilution of hindutva ideology created a noticeable rift between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party in ideological terms. The RSS, from where a good deal of BJP leaders have migrated, has sought the party to take a more aggressive stand on ideological issues such as the building of the Ayodhya mandir and the adoption of a Uniform Civil Code. It prefers a swadeshi economic model of "Hindu socialism". The BJP as part of NDA, while in power at the Centre, could not pursue ideological tenets such as Ayodhya or the Civil Code to ensure that its allies continued their support.
Organisation
This has also been blamed for public spats between different factions of the party.
The highest authority in the party is the President. Officially, the BJP constitution provides for a three-year term for the President. Recently, both Venkaiah Naidu and LK Advani resigned ahead of schedule due to factionalism and controversies. Rajnath Singh has held this post since January 2006. Beyond this, there are several Vice-Presidents, General-Secretaries, Treasurers and Secretaries. The National Executive consists of an undetermined number of senior party leaders from across the nation who are the highest decision-making body in the party. At the state level, a similar structure is in place, with every state unit being led by the respective President, who also officially serves a three-year term.
The rank-and-file leadership of BJP largely derives from the cadre of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has millions of affiliates. It also maintains close links to other Sangh Parivar organisations, such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (an organisation promoting protectionism).
BJP ruled states marked in orange
Mass organisations associated with the BJP include:
Outside of India, BJP followers have formed the 'Overseas Friends of BJP'.
Objectives and policies
The concept of Integral Humanism has a special place in its ideology, with the party aiming to transform India in to a modern, progressive and enlightened nation which draws inspiration from India's ancient Indian culture and values. As per the party's constitution the objectives of the party are explained thus:
"The party is pledged to build up India as a strong and prosperous nation, which is modern, progressive and enlightened in outlook and which proudly draws inspiration from India's ancient culture and values and thus is able to emerge as a great world power playing an effective role in the comity of Nations for the establishment of world peace and a just international order. The Party aims at establishing a democratic state which guarantees to all citizens irrespective of caste, creed or sex, political, social and economic justice, equality of opportunity and liberty of faith and expression. The Party shall bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and to the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy and would uphold the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India."
Some of the professed goals of the BJP are[1]:
- Anti terror measures - Revive the anti-terror mechanism that has been dismantled by the Congress; improve upon POTA to ensure it is more effective as an instrument of deterrence and a tool to prosecute offenders without innocent people being harassed; and, strengthen the operational role of the National Investigating Agency.
- Special Courts for speedy prosecution - Special courts will be set up for speedy prosecution of those involved with acts of terrorism. Their trial shall be fair and justice will be done to the victims swiftly.
- National identity card of all - BJP proposes to make it incumbent for every Indian to have a National Identity card. The National Identity Card will also strengthen national security by ensuring accurate citizen identity, thus tracking illegal immigration.
- Food security - Provide 35 kg of rice or wheat every month to BPL families at Rs 2 per kg under an improved and expanded Antyodaya Anna Yojana. This will be available against ‘Food Coupons’ redeemable at both PDS and private outlets.
- Energy security - It proposes to invest heavily in developing non-fossil fuel-based clean energy sources, especially for electricity production. Its goal will be to add at least 120,000 MW of power over the next five years, with 20 per cent of it coming from renewable sources.
- Urban India - In pursuit of the principle of ‘Shelter for All’, 10 lakh dwelling units for the poor will be constructed every year. For existing urban centres, basic infrastructure facilities and amenities of water, drainage, roads, electricity, environment and solid waste management will be enhanced for a clean and healthy city life.
- Agriculture - Waive agricultural loans. Set a maximum ceiling of 4 per cent interest for agricultural loans to farmers from banks. Introduce a pension scheme for aged and helpless farmers. Create irrigation facilities for an additional 35 million hectares of land in five years: This will generate rural jobs as well as benefit farmers. Drip irrigation will be promoted along with better water management and use of check dams.
- Keeping farmers interest protected with the help of National Land Use Policy before land acquisition for infrastructure.
- Education for all - The success story of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, launched by the NDA in 2002, shall be strengthened, extended and concretised further in quality, content and support systems. Implementation of the mid-day meal scheme shall be revitalised on modern management lines. Akshaya Patra Scheme will serve as a model for this purpose. Universalisation of secondary education shall be speedily implemented. Special emphasis will be given to girls’ education at the secondary level. Institutions of higher learning shall be given full autonomy, coupled with accountability, in real practice.
- Article 370 - It poses a psychological barrier for the full integration of the people of Jammu & Kashmir with the national mainstream. The BJP remains committed to the abrogation of this Article.
- To increase bilateral ties with USA and other Western bloc countries - an ideology that BJP has supported since its formation, in stark contrast to strong ties of Congress-led governments with Russia. BJP has since sought to and improved its relations with all post-Cold War nations allied to the Western front.
- Health for all - Set up a National Regulatory Authority for private hospitals, nursing homes and special care facilities to ensure quality services, affordable fees and prevent/punish malpractice. While private sector participation in health care is welcome, it cannot become a source of unrestricted and unrestrained profit making at the expense of the people. Clean drinking water is one of the best barriers against common but often fatal diseases. The BJP proposes to make access to clean drinking water a fundamental right for all citizens.
- One Earth, Green Earth - BJP wants to give appropriate importance to containing climate change. Lay importance on energy security and sustainable energy pathways by setting clear targets for energy efficiency and renewable energy.
- Religious Conversions - The BJP wants to facilitate, under the auspices of noted religious leaders, the setting up of a permanent inter-faith consultative mechanism to promote harmony among and trust between communities[citation needed]. This mechanism will also be used for a sustained and sincere Inter-Faith Dialogue between leaders of the Hindu and Christian communities on all aspects of life, including the issue of religious conversions. The dialogue should be held in the spirit of the unanimous report of the Inter-Faith Dialogue on Conversions, which was organised at the Vatican in May 2006 by the Pontifical Council for Inter-Faith Dialogue and the World Council of Churches, Geneva.
The BJP stands for strong national defense (though it did not support reorientation and improving the quality of training of the armed forces nor did it support the amendment of the retirement plans for the armed forces which were recommended by the oversight committee), small government[citation needed], and Quasi-market (a market where only Indian companies can benefit) economic policies, but Integral Humanism has been its core philosophy and identity ever since its inception. The BJP stand on economic policies saw a sudden volte face in the mid nineties from a support of swadeshi products to the embracing of free market ideas. Another important factor is the ongoing territorial dispute over Jammu and Kashmir and the wars of 1947-48, 1962, 1965, and 1971, and recently the 1999 Kargil War. The BJP and its supporters feel India must remain vigilant against threats from Pakistan, the People's Republic of China, and elsewhere such as Bangladesh and even LTTE from Sri Lanka[citation needed][original research?].
Economic policy under BJP-led governments at the state and center has been heavily focused on infrastructure building and pro-reform, which is congenial to Indian interests and to necessary conforming to international regulations (like environment laws) market-oriented economic growth without making subtle changes to the existing policies.
Controversies and criticism
- Ram Janambhoomi - The party has been criticized for its direct involvement in the movement which culminated in the destruction of the Mosque and Monument called Babri Masjid in favor of building the Ram Janmabhoomi temple. However, BJP said that it originally wanted the demolition of Babri Mosque through lawful process.[citation needed]
- Communal violence - In 2002, communal riots happened in Gujarat under BJP rule, after an attack by a Muslim mob on a train comprising mostly of Hindu pilgrims.[2]..As a result, communal riots erupted in Gujarat. The state government of Gujarat and its Chief Minister Narendra Modi have been accused of helping the Hindu mobs, a charge that it denies. The National Human Rights Commission criticized the government, pointing to "a comprehensive failure on the part of the State Government of Gujarat to control persistent violations of rights. While a judicial commission headed by G.T. Nanavati, a former chief justice of the Indian Supreme Court, constituted to examine allegations of Gujarat state administration's involvement in the riots of 2002 said that there was no evidence to implicate either Modi or his administration in the riots.[3] Nevertheless, the central BJP-led government in Delhi condemned and called an end to the sectarian violence giving the state government a full three days to let the rioters rampage through Gujarat[citation needed]
- "India shining" advertisements - There has been controversy over the India Shining advertisements concerning the use of taxpayer’s money by States or Central Governments for political gain of the ruling party. The BJP government spent approximately Rs. 100 crores for the advertisements campaign during 2004 Parliament elections.[4][5]
- BJP has been accused by Congress, CPI-M and significant section of the media and Indian intelligentia for engaging in divisive politics by using emotive issues and ultra nationalist sentiments. [6][7][8]
- Expulsion of a senior party leader and founder like Jaswant Singh for writing the book "Jinnah: India-Partition-Independence" has been questioned for supression of freedom of expression and diverse voices within the party. [9]
- Organizations affiliated with the BJP by overt or covert support from BJP have engaged in moral policing across several states of India, especially in the BJP ruled state of Karnataka. This has resulted in violence against youth participating in Valentine's day celebrations, girls partying in night clubs, couples found together in public places or even erection of a Charlie Chaplin statue for filming. [10] [11] [12] [13]
List of previous presidents
See also
References
External links
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party
- Join BJP Website
- BJP Friends
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Ananth Kumar
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Bandaru Dattatraya (backward-caste party Leader)
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, B.S. Yeddyurappa (backward-caste party Leader)
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, D.B. Chandre Gowda
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, D.V. Sadananda Gowda
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Kiran Patel
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, L. Ganesan
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, L.K. Advani
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Narendra Modi
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal
State and territorial parties units
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Madhya Pradesh Unit
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Himachal Pradesh Unit
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Punjab Unit
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Chandigarh Unit
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Kerala Unit
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Tamil Nadu Unit
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Karnataka Unit
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Bangalore North Unit
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Andhra Pradesh Unit
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Gujarat Unit
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Maharashtra Unit
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Mumbai Unit
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Goa Unit
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Orissa Unit
- Official site of Bharatiya Janata Party, Jharkhand Unit
International BJP Support
Other
