ABSTRACT
In an era of enormous political possibilities, solid organization, sufficient supply of funds and a proper way of networking with the local and regional actors appeared to be a necessity for all of the political parties that aspired to challenge the dominance of the Congress. Having become exhausted with the difficulties in conducting the first general elections, soon after its arrival the Jana Sangh went on investing much of its energy in the development of an anti-Congress popular front with the likeminded parties. However, as soon as the Mookerjee era was over, the spirit of forming a united opposition somehow lost its impetus, and fresh streams of thought arrived in the line of regimented party control. Keeping pace with the changing profile of the party, this chapter brings to the fore the general political perceptions, the party programmes and the nature of the initiatives taken by the Jana Sangh in the formative years with a special emphasis on the elections at the national and regional levels. Additionally, this chapter provides an in-depth analysis on the Bengal question, considered to be a puzzle for almost all generations of the Hindu nationalist leaders. This chapter also introduces the North East Indian states in the electoral landscape of the Jana Sangh.
