State president PVN Madhav traces party's 75-year ideological journey from Jana Sangh to global political force; reaffirms Viksit Bharat 2047 as BJP's defining goal

VIJAYAWADA : Invoking seven decades of sacrifice, struggle, and nation-building, Andhra Pradesh BJP state president PVN Madhav on Monday delivered a sweeping account of the Bharatiya Janata Party's ideological and political journey as the party marked its 47th Foundation Day with celebrations held across the state, with the principal function taking place here.

Extending greetings to party workers, leaders, and citizens at large, Mr. Madhav opened his address with an unusual reflection on the significance of the number 47, describing it in the spiritual tradition as a number associated with transformation and selfless endeavour. "Just as those who work without expectation of reward are guided by this number, the BJP has been a force for transformative change in the nation's history," he said.

From Jana Sangh to BJP: A 75-Year Ideological Continuum

Tracing the party's lineage, Mr. Madhav recalled that the Bharatiya Jana Sangh was founded on October 21, 1951, and reconstituted as the Bharatiya Janata Party on April 6, 1980. He said the 75-year journey had been defined by a consistent commitment to national reconstruction, cultural preservation, and the assertion of India's civilisational identity.

He paid tribute to party founder Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, whose sacrifice during the 'Chalo Kashmir' movement for the territorial integrity of Jammu and Kashmir, he said, remained an indelible chapter in India's political history. He noted that leaders such as Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee had subsequently expanded the party's reach across the country, building it into a national force.

Emergency, Kargil and the Vajpayee Era

Mr. Madhav recalled that Jana Sangh workers had waged an unrelenting 19-month struggle against the Emergency imposed in 1975, with thousands imprisoned and others continuing the fight underground. "They gave the country a second freedom struggle," he said. He also highlighted the party's role during the Goa liberation movement and the wars of 1962 and 1965, when workers rendered service to the nation.

Turning to the Vajpayee era, Mr. Madhav said the BJP government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee had steered India towards strength through the Pokhran nuclear tests, victory in the Kargil conflict, and path-breaking diplomatic initiatives such as the Lahore bus yatra. "Vajpayee remains the gold standard of good governance," he said.

Modi Era: Security, Diplomacy and Development

Describing the BJP's return to power in 2014 under Narendra Modi as a defining moment, Mr. Madhav highlighted a series of landmark decisions including the abrogation of Article 370, the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the expansion of welfare schemes, rural development initiatives, and the Digital India programme.

On national security, he said India had demonstrated its resolve through surgical strikes and air strikes following the Uri and Pulwama attacks. He added that India's standing on the international stage had risen considerably, with the country maintaining balanced diplomatic relations with Iran, Israel, the United States, and Russia simultaneously.

Viksit Bharat 2047: The Defining Mission

Articulating the party's forward vision, Mr. Madhav said the BJP was committed to realising the goal of a fully developed India by 2047 — the centenary of independence — under the guiding principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. He called upon every citizen to become a participant in this national endeavour.

On the party's organisational agenda in Andhra Pradesh, he said special programmes had been taken up to expand the BJP's presence to the village level, with the 'Mana Illu Mana Jenda' initiative encouraging every worker to hoist the party flag at their home and build awareness among the people. He reaffirmed the party's commitment to strengthening its role within the alliance government in keeping with the aspirations of the people.

Summing up the party's philosophy, Mr. Madhav declared: "Politics is not our profession — it is our mission." He called upon workers to draw inspiration from the sacrifices of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and dedicate themselves to nation-building and social upliftment.

The function was attended by state general secretary Matta Prasad, state secretary Boddu Nagalakshmi, state office in-charge Uppalapati Srinivasa Raju, Kisan Morcha president Chigurpati Kumar Swamy, SC Morcha president Panatala Suresh, Minority Morcha president Syed Basha, NTR district president Adduri Sriram, and other senior functionaries.