From two to 303, this is how BJP became the world’s No 1 political party by saffronising India in just 42 years

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which grew in the shadow of the Jan Sangh formed by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee in 1951, was founded on April 6, 1980. Today marks 42 years since the BJP made their way into the hearts of crores of people in the country. The BJP also has links with the Janata Party, which was formed in 1977 amid the dark days of emergency imposed by Congress Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The party gained its current shape in 1980 after the dissolution of the Janata Party and the formation of BJP with Atal Bihari Vajpayee as its first president.

Number 1

When we retrospect after 42 years, the BJP has grown to be the strongest political party in the country. Today, the BJP is the world’s largest political organization with more than 180 million members. This is almost twice the strength of the Chinese Communist Party in China, the second largest political party in the world.

The BJP’s strength is increasing tenfold as its opponents’ strength wanes. It has ten times more members than the Congress. It also holds the title of being the largest and strongest party in the largest democracy of the world. The party was also able to form governments in 18 states along with the centre. It has been able to reach almost all corners of the country. However, this growth was not an easy journey. The BJP has gone to great lengths to fight for its life without even getting a glimpse of light under the shade of the Congress party, which had once spread across the country like a huge tree.

Two

Two is a number that is often associated with BJP. It is the number that the BJP was able to bring into its account in the 1984 general polls. The party, which contested in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections independently, was able to win only two seats. From there, it has now reached the magic number of 303. In addition to measuring the height of its growth, ‘number two’ has also been an energy booster for the party while it drank the bitter juice of failure. The number gave it the strength to rise from debacles.

In 1991, the party reached a two digit from a mere two. Still, there is one thing that needs to be noted. The BJP was able to steadily increase its number of seats in all elections except in 2004 and 2009. The biggest of its victories were in 2014 and 2019 under Narendra Modi. In both these polls, the party’s vote share crossed 30 percent. For the first time in its history, the BJP crossed 300 seats in Lok sabha in 2019.

Congress exhausted

While the BJP went ahead, the Congress was on the verge of collapse. The party, which once ruled the country for decades, has now been reduced to a mere number of 44 seats. It is being overshadowed even in states. The BJP has formed governments in 18 states. At the time, the Congress, once deeply rooted, was able to form governments only in two states (Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh).

Double gain

As the BJP celebrates its 42nd birthday, there is a double gain in it. In addition to Lok Sabha, the party is nearing towards majority in Rajya Sabha as well. As the party was able to secure power in states, it has now reached 100 seats in the upper house. BJP is the first party to cross this margin since 1990. It needs to be noted that while the first Modi government came to power in 2014, the party had only 55 seats in the Rajya Sabha.

Masterminds

The formulation of propaganda and strategies in accordance with the modern times is what makes BJP, the favourite party in the country. The organizational strength of the BJP that is spread across the country as in a cadre system needs special mention as well. The BJP, which was quick to implement online systems, was able to easily win the elections during the pandemic.

South India still a challenge

The party’s lack of prowess in south India is what confuses the BJP national leadership even now. Although the BJP is in power in Karnataka, it has not been able to form government or perform well in elections in other states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.