This volume–in the prestigious Themes in Politics series–describes the role of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the governance of India and dwells on its future as India’s main opposition party. A substantive introduction traces the BJP’s journey from the critical phase that followed the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, to its rise to power in 1998, through to its defeat in the 2004 election. In doing so it raises several questions: To what extent did the BJP’s desire to rule compel it to forge strategic alliances? How did these alliances affect its hardline positions? To what extent was it able to implement the ideology of Hindutva? How did media shape the role of the BJP in power? What impact did BJP rule have on India’s foreign policy? The essays demonstrate how the BJP repackaged core elements of its ideology to establish a stable Coalition Government. They show how, in order to meet the multiple demands of coalition politics, the BJP built regional alliances; transformed its economic policy from one that was informed by the idea of swadeshi to one that welcomed foreign capital; established Hindutva as the dominant cultural discourse in revisionist histories, cinema, and arts while simultaneously allaying the concerns of the regional parties; promoted a hegemonic Hindu discourse through the media; and fashioned significant shifts in India’s traditional foreign policy vis-a-vis Pakistan and Bangladesh. The volume also sheds light on why the progress of the Hindu right has slowed in recent years, especially after the BJP’s 2004 election defeat. It speculates on how the BJP will balance demands of the Sangh Parivar with its need for regional allies–a test it cannot fail in its quest for power in the long-term. With eminent contributors, this volume will be essential reading for scholars and students of politics and the history of modern India. In addition, it will be of interest to the general reader.
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