Bharatiya Jana Sangh

The Bharatiya Jana Sangh (abbreviated BJS, and often known simply as the Jan Sangh) is the predecessor to the Bharatiya Janata Party, one of India's two main political parties. Its name is Hindi for Indian People's Alliance.

Related Topics:
Bharatiya Janata Party - India - Political parties - Hindi

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The BJS was started by Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee (also spelt as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee) on 21st October 1951 at Delhi in consultation with the RSS. The symbol of the party in Indian elections was the lamp. In 1952 general elections to the Parliament of India, Bharatiya Jana Sangh had won three seats - Dr. Mookerjee being one of the winning candidates.

Related Topics:
Syama Prasad Mookerjee - 21st October - 1951 - Delhi - RSS - 1952 - Parliament of India

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In 1975, Indira Gandhi declared a state of Emergency, and threw many major opposition politicians in jail including the leaders of the BJS. In 1977, the Emergency was withdrawn, and elections were held. The BJS, joined forces with the Bharatiya Lok Dal, the Congress (O), and the Socialist Party, to form the Janata Party (People's Party). The Janata Party became the first Indian government not led by the Indian National Congress. Former BJS leaders Atal Behari Vajpayee and L. K. Advani became the External Affairs (Foreign), and Information and Broadcasting Ministers respectively.

Related Topics:
1975 - Indira Gandhi - Emergency - 1977 - Bharatiya Lok Dal - Congress (O) - Socialist Party - Janata Party - Indian National Congress - Atal Behari Vajpayee - L. K. Advani

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After the Janata Party's poor showing in the 1980 elections, the former Bharatiya Jan Sangh members left to form the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has been one of the three largest Indian political parties since 1989.

Related Topics:
1980 - Bharatiya Janata Party

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