Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

• Formation: The BJS was established on October 21, 1951, in Delhi with Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee as its first president.
• 1951-52 General Elections: In the first general elections after independence, the BJS won 3 seats in the Parliament of India.
• Kashmir Agitation: Under Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee's leadership, the BJS started a movement against the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir. Mookerjee was arrested and died under mysterious circumstances while in jail in Kashmir.
• Goa Liberation Movement: The BJS organized the Goa Liberation Week from December 6-16, 1954 and led a march of 100 Satyagrahis to Goa on June 23, 1955, to protest Portuguese rule.
• 1957 Lok Sabha Elections: The BJS won 4 seats in the Lok Sabha elections.
• 1962 Lok Sabha Elections: The BJS resurged and won 14 seats in the 3rd Lok Sabha elections.
• 1967 Lok Sabha Elections: The BJS, under the leadership of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, won 35 seats and became the second-largest party in several states.

Merger into Janata Party

In 1977, the BJS merged with several other parties to form the Janata Party, which came to power after defeating the Congress party. However, the Janata government collapsed in 1979 due to internal conflicts. In 1980, the former BJS members left the Janata Party and formed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 

 In 1977, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) merged with several other political parties to form the Janata Party, a coalition aimed at opposing the Indian National Congress and its leader, Indira Gandhi. This merger was a strategic move following the Emergency imposed by Gandhi from 1975 to 1977, which had led to widespread discontent and protests against her government.

• Opposition to Congress: The BJS, along with the Bharatiya Lok Dal, Socialist Party, and Congress (O), came together to challenge the Congress party, which had dominated Indian politics since independence. The coalition sought to unify various factions that were disillusioned with Congress's governance.
• 1977 General Elections: The Janata Party contested the elections held in March 1977, emerging as the largest party with 298 seats in the Lok Sabha. Morarji Desai, a prominent leader from the coalition, became the Prime Minister, marking the first time a non-Congress party held power in India.

 The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has undergone significant transformations and achieved notable milestones since its establishment in 1980. Here is an overview of the BJP's government and its evolution over the years:

• Foundation: The BJP was formed on April 6, 1980, under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani, following a split from the Janata Party. The party aimed to promote "Cultural Nationalism" and uphold Hindu values in Indian politics.
• Electoral Performance: The BJP initially struggled in elections, winning only 2 seats in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections. However, it began to gain traction, securing 86 seats in the 1989 elections, largely due to its focus on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the slogan "Justice for all, appeasement of none".

• 1991 Elections: The BJP's popularity surged, and it won 119 seats in the 1991 elections, becoming a key player in Indian politics. This period was marked by the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992, which significantly boosted the party's support among Hindu voters.
• Coalition Government: The BJP formed its first government in 1996, albeit for a brief period of 13 days. It returned to power in 1998 as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with Atal Bihari Vajpayee serving as Prime Minister for a full term until 2004.

• Economic Reforms: The NDA government implemented various economic reforms, including liberalization policies that aimed to boost India's economy. The government also conducted nuclear tests in 1998, asserting India's position as a nuclear power.
• Social Policies: The BJP focused on promoting Hindu cultural identity and nationalism, which became central to its governance approach. The party's policies aimed at consolidating its base among Hindu voters while attempting to reach out to lower castes and other communities.

• 2004 Defeat: The BJP-led NDA government lost the 2004 elections, leading to a period of opposition. During this time, the party re-evaluated its strategies and sought to broaden its appeal across different demographics.
• Revival Efforts: The BJP worked on strengthening its organizational structure and grassroots connections, setting the stage for its resurgence in the subsequent elections.

• 2014 Elections: Under Narendra Modi's leadership, the BJP won a historic majority in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, securing 282 seats. This marked the first time a single party achieved a majority since 1984. The campaign focused on development, governance, and national security, resonating with a broad spectrum of voters.
• 2019 Elections: The BJP repeated its success in the 2019 elections, winning 303 seats. The party's continued focus on national security, economic development, and Hindutva helped solidify its position in Indian politics.
• Current Status: As of 2023, the BJP is recognized as the world's largest political party, with over 180 million members. The party continues to dominate Indian politics, with a strong emphasis on its development agenda encapsulated in the slogan "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" (Together with all, development for all).