The Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP] (भारतीय जनता पार्टी [भाजपा], translation: Indian People's Party), created in 1980, is a major centre-right Indian political party. It projects itself as a champion of the socio-religious cultural values of the country's majority, conservative social policies, self reliance, strong enconomic growth, foreign policy driven by strong nationalist agenda, and strong national defense. Its constituency is strengthened by the broad umbrella of nationalist organizations, informally known as the Sangh Parivar (League of Indian nationalist organizations), in which the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh plays a leading role. It is the first party to provide 33% reservation for women in the organisation.

Since its inception, the BJP has projected itself as a prime alternative to the existing family based politics of the Indian National Congress. By infusing an alternative ideology to Indian politics, BJP has sought balance to Indian political structure missing since its independence in 1947. It has allied with regional parties to roll back religious opportunism and the left inclined tendencies formerly practiced and endorsed by the Congress Party, which dominated Indian politics for four decades. The ideological rallying cry of the BJP is strong nationalism.

The BJP, in alliance with several other parties, led the Government of India between 1998 and 2004, under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, its most senior leaders. It is the leading party within the National Democratic Alliance and leads the opposition.