Political Dynamics, Ideological Conflicts, and the Rise of BJP in Haryana

Abstract

The HVP-BJP coalition government formed in Haryana in 1996 represented a significant shift in the state’s political dynamics, as it marked the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a state historically dominated by Congress and regional players like the Haryana Vikas Party (HVP). This coalition, led by Bansi Lal's HVP and supported by the BJP, reshaped Haryana’s political landscape, driven by contrasting ideologies: HVP's focus on rural welfare and BJP’s push for urbanization and industrial growth. The alliance navigated challenges stemming from factionalism, ideological conflicts, and the pressure to balance agrarian concerns with urban modernization. Despite initial successes in governance, these internal tensions, coupled with the BJP’s growing influence and the HVP’s rural-centric policies, ultimately led to the dissolution of the alliance by 1999. This paper explores the coalition’s formation, internal dynamics, ideological conflicts, and its legacy, particularly its contribution to the BJP’s eventual dominance in Haryana politics and the decline of the HVP.