History

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

A concise history of the journey from BJS to BJP and the milestones that shaped the party.

Bharatiya Jana Sangh to Bharatiya Janata Party historical leaders collage

Timeline

Seven decades, one journey.

1951 - 1977

Key Milestones of the BJS

The BJS was established on October 21, 1951, in Delhi with Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee as its first president. In the 1951-52 general elections it won 3 seats in Parliament. The party later participated in the Kashmir agitation, Goa Liberation movement, and expanded its Lok Sabha presence through the 1957, 1962, and 1967 elections.

1977

The Merger

In 1977, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh merged with several other political parties to form the Janata Party, a coalition aimed at opposing the Indian National Congress after the Emergency period. The Janata Party emerged as the largest party in the 1977 general elections.

1980 - 1989

Formation and Early Years (1980-1989)

In 1980, former BJS members formed the Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani. The party promoted cultural nationalism and gradually gained electoral traction.

1990s - 2019

Rise to Power and Resurgence

The BJP became a major force in the 1990s, formed governments as part of the NDA under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and later won historic mandates in 2014 and 2019 under Narendra Modi's leadership.

Key dates

The BJP story in dates.

1951The Bharatiya Jana Sangh is founded in Delhi on 21 October, with Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee as its first president.
1977The Jana Sangh merges with other parties to form the Janata Party, which emerges as the largest party in the post-Emergency elections.
1980On 6 April the Bharatiya Janata Party is founded, with Atal Bihari Vajpayee as its first president. The lotus becomes its symbol.
1984In its first general election the BJP wins 2 Lok Sabha seats.
1989The BJP wins 85 Lok Sabha seats, and 120 in 1991.
1996The BJP becomes the single largest party, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee forms a short-lived first government. It is again the largest party in 1998 and 1999.
1998–2004The BJP leads NDA governments under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
2004–2014The BJP sits in opposition for ten years.
2014The BJP wins an absolute majority (282 seats). Narendra Modi becomes Prime Minister on 26 May 2014.
2019The BJP wins 303 seats, its best result so far.
2024The BJP wins 240 seats and the NDA 293. Narendra Modi is sworn in for a third term on 9 June 2024.

Sources: Election Commission of India results as reported by news agencies, and the party’s public record. See bjp.org for the official history.

At a glance

From BJS to BJP.

1951 BJS→1977 Janata Party→1980 BJP→1990s NDA governments→2014 and 2019 mandates

Bharatiya Jana Sangh timeline and milestones

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

When was the Bharatiya Jana Sangh founded?

The Bharatiya Jana Sangh was established on 21 October 1951 in Delhi, with Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee as its first president. It won 3 Lok Sabha seats in the 1951-52 general elections.

Why did the Jana Sangh merge into the Janata Party?

In 1977, after the Emergency, the Jana Sangh merged with several other parties to form the Janata Party, a coalition formed to oppose the Indian National Congress. The Janata Party emerged as the largest party in the 1977 general elections.

How and when was the BJP formed?

After the Janata Party dissolved, former Jana Sangh members formed the Bharatiya Janata Party on 6 April 1980 under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani.

When did the BJP first form a government at the Centre?

Atal Bihari Vajpayee formed a short-lived government in 1996, and led NDA governments from 1998 to 2004.

How did the BJP perform in the 2014, 2019 and 2024 elections?

The BJP won 282 seats in 2014, 303 in 2019 and 240 in 2024, when the NDA together won 293 seats.

Keep exploring

The Party - BJP: presidents and footprint→BJP Guide: ask about the party→Viksit Bharat 2047: India's journey with sources→