The Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are two of the most influential political parties in India. Though they share some similarities, there are also many key differences between the two parties. Here we will explore some of these differences.
What is the INC?
The INC is a political party in India that was founded in 1885. The party’s stated goal is to promote the country’s development and defend its values and traditions. The INC has been a major force in Indian politics for over a century, and its leaders have included some of the country’s most prominent figures. The INC currently holds a majority in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s parliament. In recent years, the party has been accused of corruption and nepotism, and its popularity has declined somewhat. Nevertheless, it remains one of the country’s most important political parties.
What is the BJP?
The BJP is a center-right political party in India. The party’s main ideological focus is on Hindutva, which is a form of Hindu nationalism. BJP’sAsync main political rival is the Indian National Congress (INC). BJP is the largest member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is the ruling coalition in India.
- BJP has been in power at the Centre since 2014. BJP’s first president was Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who was also one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), which was BJP’s predecessor party. BJP’s current president is Amit Shah.
- The BJP’sideas and policies are based on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)’s the ideology of Hindutva. BJP believes that Hinduism should be the guiding force in the public and political life of India. BJP also supports the idea of a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, which is a Hindu nation.
- BJP’s supporters are mainly from the Hindu community, although the party claims to represent all Indians regardless of religion or caste. BJP has been accused of promoting communal violence and polarizing society along religious lines.
The party has also been criticized for its economic policies, particularly its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. however, BJP remains one of the most popular political parties in India.
Differences between the INC and the BJP
The INC and the BJP are the two main political parties in India. Both parties have a long history, and their ideologies are quite different.
- The INC is a secular party that promotes social justice and minority rights, while the BJP is a Hindu nationalist party that advocates for Hindutva.
- However, both parties support the free market and economic liberalization.
- The main difference between the two parties is their approach to religion and minorities.
- The INC is more tolerant of other religions, while the BJP favors Hinduism and often has exclusionary policies toward Muslims.
As a result, the two parties frequently compete for the Hindu vote. However, the INC is also supported by many Dalits and Muslims, while the BJP has the support of upper-caste Hindus. In general, the INC is considered to be more progressive than the BJP, but both parties are influential in Indian politics.
Conclusion
The Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are two of the most influential political parties in India. Both have a long history, and both have been significant players in Indian politics for many years. However, there are some key differences between these two parties that set them apart. The BJP is considered more right-wing, while the INC is seen as more centrist.
Additionally, the BJP is considered more pro-business, while the INC has a stronger focus on social welfare programs. Finally, the BJP is much more supportive of Hindu nationalism than the INC is. These differences make each party appealing to different segments of Indian society, which helps to explain why they have been so successful in gaining support over the years.
