BJP and Its Allies: A Track Record of Respect, Not Ruthlessness (1984–2024)

Here's a detailed analytical article countering the Opposition's narrative about BJP and highlighting the BJP’s track record of sustaining and respecting its allies over the years

*BJP and Its Allies: A Track Record of Respect, Not Ruthlessness (1984–2024)*

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), India’s dominant political force in recent years, is often accused by the Opposition of seeking to “finish off” its allies once it gains strength. This allegation, repeated frequently in public discourse, doesn’t withstand a serious historical examination. In reality, from its inception as a relatively minor political player in the 1980s to its rise as the leading force in Indian politics, the BJP has often played second fiddle in alliances, shown remarkable patience with difficult partners, and prioritized governance stability over political dominance. A closer look at several key alliances dismantles the narrative that the BJP undermines its partners. If anything, history shows that it is often the allies who walked away—driven by ambition, ideological drift, or short-term calculations.

*1. Akali Dal (Punjab): A Partnership of Patience and Principle*

One of BJP's longest-standing alliances was with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). The BJP supported Akali Dal in Punjab through thick and thin for over three decades, including the tumultuous post-Operation Blue Star period and the rise of militancy in the 1990s. Despite being the junior partner in Punjab, BJP never sought to overtake SAD. It consistently contested fewer seats and deferred to the Akalis’ leadership in the state.

The break came not due to BJP aggression, but over the *2020 farm reform bills*, where the SAD leadership—responding to populist pressures and internal dissent—chose to exit the NDA. Far from being pushed out, SAD left the alliance in response to a national-level policy disagreement.

*2. Shiv Sena (Maharashtra): From Brothers-in-Arms to Political Divergence*

BJP’s decades-long association with **Shiv Sena** was a cornerstone of the NDA in Maharashtra. For most of the 1990s and early 2000s, the BJP accepted its role as the junior partner. Even in 2014, when the BJP emerged stronger and chose to fight the state election separately, it later brought Shiv Sena back into the government and offered major portfolios.

The rupture came in 2019, when *Uddhav Thackeray*, seeking the Chief Minister’s post despite his party winning fewer seats, abandoned ideological allies to form a government with ideologically incongruent partners like the Congress and NCP. It was not betrayal by the BJP, but *a radical political realignment by the Sena*, driven by ambition.

*3. Mayawati and the BSP: Repeated Betrayals Despite BJP Support*

Mayawati became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh *three times with BJP support*—in 1995, 1997, and again in 2002. Each time, the BJP honored its power-sharing agreements. Each time, it was Mayawati who withdrew, often before the agreed-upon power rotation could take place.

The most famous episode came in 1995, when the BSP pulled out abruptly, leading to the infamous guest house incident. BJP’s willingness to support her again after that shows a degree of *political maturity* not commonly attributed to the party. However, the BSP has repeatedly prioritized tactical gains over long-term partnership.

4. VP Singh and the National Front: A Compromised Alliance**

BJP supported *VP Singh* as Prime Minister in 1989 as part of the broader National Front coalition. Despite being ideologically different, the BJP extended external support to dislodge the Congress.

The alliance broke not because of any BJP overreach, but because Singh pursued policies that tilted toward *minority appeasement*, particularly in the *Shah Bano and Ayodhya* contexts. BJP’s withdrawal was based on *principled disagreement*, not power maneuvering.

5. JDS in Karnataka: Supporting a Smaller Ally as CM*

In 2006, the BJP entered a power-sharing agreement with **HD Kumaraswamy’s Janata Dal (Secular)** in Karnataka. The BJP upheld its end of the deal, supporting Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister despite being close in seat share.

However, when it was time for JDS to reciprocate and hand over the CM’s chair to BJP, Kumaraswamy **refused**, leading to a collapse of the government. BJP later came to power on its own but not before suffering betrayal from a much smaller ally.

*6. Nitish Kumar and JD(U): Two Decades of Endurance*

BJP’s partnership with *Nitish Kumar* spanned over *20 years*, during which the party consistently deferred to him in Bihar—even when it had more seats. BJP supported Nitish as CM in 2005, 2010, and 2017.

Despite being the larger party in 2020, BJP did not stake a claim to the CM's post. The repeated break-ups came not from BJP’s aggression but from *Nitish Kumar’s shifting alliances*, which saw him swing between the NDA and Mahagathbandhan multiple times, always driven by political expediency. 

7) Mehbooba Mufti and PDP in Kashmir: National Interest Over Politics*

In 2015, the BJP made a bold move by entering an alliance with *Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP*—two parties with drastically different ideological positions. This was done to ensure a *representative and inclusive government* in a sensitive region like Jammu & Kashmir.

Even as tensions escalated post-2016, the BJP held the coalition together until it became untenable in 2018. The party finally pulled out when **Mehbooba began adopting a soft separatist line**, which threatened national security. Again, BJP acted not out of political desire to dominate but out of a **principled stance on national integrity*.

*Conclusion: A Pattern of Political Restraint, Not Ruthlessness*

Contrary to the Opposition’s narrative, the BJP’s historical record shows **restraint, accommodation, and a willingness to play second fiddle** in the interest of alliance politics. Breakdowns in these relationships have almost always come from **ally ambition, ideological divergence, or betrayal**, not from BJP aggression.

In every major alliance—be it with SAD, Shiv Sena, BSP, JD(U), PDP, or even JDS—the BJP has shown a **willingness to compromise and sustain partnerships**, often at the cost of short-term political gains. As India continues to navigate complex coalition dynamics, any credible political analysis must acknowledge that BJP’s alleged “ally-harming” behavior is more **myth than reality**.

- Dayanand Nene