Trace the emergence of BJP as a significant force in Indian politics since the late 1980s.

OR

Examine the emergence, demands, and success of BKU as one of the leading popular movement of India.

The major trends in the performance of BJP since the late 1980s is highlighted below:

a) After the fall of the Janata Party, the supporters of Jana Sangh formed the Bharatiya Janata party in 1980.

b) In the elections of 1989, the National Front under the leadership of VP Singh came into power. It was supported by the left front and BJP from outside because they wanted to keep Congress out of gaining any power.

c) This government entered in 1990 due to coalition pressure.

d) In 1996, BJP minority government was formed but it failed to generate support of the majority.

e) In 1991, the party won 121 seats. In 1996, it won 160 seats. It was the largest party in the 1996 elections.

f) In 1998 and 1999, BJP formed an alliance with NDA under the leadership of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. They won the 1999 midterm elections.

g) BJP remained in power from March 1998 to May 2004. Atal Bihari Vajpayee remained the Prime Minister of India during this period.

h) In 2004, the 16th Lok Sabha elections were held. BJP won 282 seats and formed the government under Shri Narendra Modi.

i) BJP follows a Hindutva policy which has gained support from many major areas. For Example, the case of Shah Bano, construction of a temple at Ayodhya, an organization of Rath Yatra.

j) It has also supported new economic policies such as liberalisation and globalisation. This has helped the country to move on the path of economic development at a faster pace.

OR

BKU is the Bhartiya Kisan Union.

Emergence of BKU

BKU is an organization of farmers from Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. It is one of the leading Pharma movements of India. It is one of the leading farmer movements of India. It protests against the policies of liberalization of the Indian economy.

Demands of BKU

The major demands of BKU are

a) To waive off repayment of loans due to farmers.

b) Guaranteed supply of electricity at a reasonable rate

c) Higher government floor price for wheat and sugarcane

d) To provide government pensions to farmers.

e) Abolition of restrictions on the Indian state movement of farm produce.

Extent of success

a) BKU became a very successful social movement. It sustained for a long period of time due to the good network of the members.

b) These networks helped the party to gain funds and resources.

c) They conducted rallies and demonstration. These protests involved more than 20,000 farmers from western Uttar Pradesh

d) They operated as a pressure group in politics with the strength of its members.

e) They were directed against the state policies. So no political party could displease them. The government had to reduce the electricity rate. The also announced about waving off repayment of loans due on farmers

f) They also dominated the regional electoral politics.