0Since late 1980s, BJP’s political support started gaining strength. Since then its rise has been impressive indeed. The major trends in the electoral performance of BJP since 1989 have been quite significant. Its political ideology has also gained widespread support.
Electoral performance
a. In the elections of 1989, the National Front under Sh. VP Singh came to power supported by left front and BJP from outside because they wanted to keep congress out of power. This government due to coalition pressures came to an end in 1990. In 1996, BJP minority government was formed for a short period and collapsed as it failed to generate majority of support. From March 1998 to October 1999, BJP and others formed an alliance NDA under the leadership of Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In 1999, midterm elections NDA alliance led by BJP came to power. In the Sixteenth Lok Sabha elections held in 2014, BJP won 282 seats and formed the government under the leadership of Sh. Narendra Modi.
b. BJP’s Hindutva Ideology : BJP’s Hindutva ideology has received large support from different stratas of Indian Society. Its stand on Shah Bano Case and later support on construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya disputed area brought huge electoral success for BJP. BJP also organizes ‘Rath Yatra’ from Somnath in Gujarat to Ayodhya in UP. This also increased the popularity of BJP.
c. BJP’s support for new economic policies – liberalization and globalization has led to huge economic development for India. Moreover, BJP’s stand against corruption has also helped in gaining support from the masses.
