Rise of BJP in Chhattisgarh
From our correspondent

Though in 1957 Lok Sabha polls Bharatiya Jana Sangha (BJS) could not win so many seats as to cheer about, yet in BJS the Congress could not fail to visualise the rise of a potential Opposition. Recalling an incident Shri Shiv Kumar Shastri describes an incident when the projected two sisters from Jamindar family in Chura to contest elections. As the campaisning was in full swing Shri Manohar Rao Sahastraji gave a call to Congress leaders like Shri Shyama Charan Shukla, Shri Mahant Laxmi Narayan Das, Shri BD Shastri who were conspiring to corner the two sisters in elections by hook or crook. Shri Tiwariji, Dugga Ramjee, Lajjaramji , Manohar Raoji, Jugga Maharajji and Shri Shastri himself reached Chura to campaign. Congress leaders did everything from offering money to even threatening the candidates to keep them out of the fray. Jugga Maharaji dared the Congressman and asked them to stop resorting unfair means and come out in open ensuring fair elections . Though one of the sisters lost in the elections and the other could not contest as her nomination papers were cancelled by the authorities. However, this was a glaring example of how the Congress did everything to prevent the Jana Sangh from gaining new ground in the region.

It was the time when party organization had only one goal and that was the end of Congress domination. The party made many strategic alliances on several occasions with the DSP (Democratic Socialist Party) in spite of having major differences with them. The party was even betrayed by the DSP on many occasions. On one such occasion the party decided to withdraw its candidate in DSP's favour at Raipur local bodies elections and expected the same favour in return at Dhamtari from is where the party fielded Shri Kriduttaji. But the DSP did not withdraw its candidate Although Shri Kridduttaji lost in Dhamtari but he had no adverse feelings for the DSP, as he was very pleased to see the Congress candidate losing to DSP candidate in Raipur. Shri Pandari Rao ji expressed satisfaction with the final outcome even though the parry lost in Dhamtarti .

Pt. Deendayal Upadyayji and Shri Atalji toured the region extensively between 1957-62, and Jana Sangh started gaining popularity and in 1967 it emerged as the main opposition party after the assembly elections. Though the BJP was recognized as a major opposition party in 1962 itself but the Socialist parties were in a better position. After 1962 the BJS filled in the vacuum created by the Socialist parties. Later parties like Ram Rajya Parishad merged with JanSangh. In 1962 elections the BJP managed to put up an impressive show as Shri Atmaram Ingole from Sarguja, Shri Puran Jangre from Malkharod, Shri Pandari Rao Kriduttji from Dhamtari, Shri Yaswant Rao Meghwale from Kurud and Shri Ram Dayal Warise from Sihawa won as BJS candidates..

What the BJP is today much contribution goes to Shri Kusabhau Thakre and Shri Moreshwar Rao Gadreji. Shri Gadreji toured the whole region by motorcycle and infused new blood in the organisation. Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia's contribution in BJS' forward march cannot be ignored.

Rajmata joined the BJS, as she felt suffocated in the Congress. She contested assembly election from Karera seat and became an integral part of the organization. In 1967, government of Pandit Dwarka Prasad Mishra collapsed. Rajamata played an important role in bringing down this anti people government as she led 26 MLAs from the Congress 16of them from Chhattisgarh region to defect from the party

In 1968-69, a meeting of JanSangh was held in Jabalpur in which Shri Lakhiram Agarwal was elected as pradesh mantri. In 1972 Raipur Adhiveshan, Shri Pawan Diwanji became the welcoming president. In 1967, the organisation got an opportunity to participate in the united legislative party government and Shri Virendra Kumar Saklecha became the deputy chief Minister. Under the guidance of Sri Kusha Bhau Thakre and many others like Sri Moreshwar Rao Gadre, Sri Prabhakar Rao Sahashra Buddhe, Sri Govind Dalvi, Sri Keshav Dave etc. the organization was strengthened even at the grass root level .

In 1975 Mrs Indira Gandhi, the then PM, imposed emergency, and police brutalities were seen even in Chhattisgarh . The police arrested almost all the prominent leaders and karyakartas of BJS. All prisons were choc a block with leaders and karyakartas of Sangh.

Gadreji was instrumental in helping the familes of party workers who were jailed during the emergency. Shri Gadre died of Jaundice on Makar Sankranti in 1977.

In 1977 Lok Sabha elections peoples ire against Congress came out in open and the BJS won all 11 seats in Chhattisgarh region .Jana Sangha was an important constituent when Janata Party came into being and for the first time first non Congress government came into power at the Centre.

(Concluded)