Which of the following statement is correct about the politics of BJP in the 1980s?

Initially, the Bharatiya Janata Party embraced Gandhian Socialism along with cultural nationalism as its ideology.

The correct answer is Option (2) → Initially, the Bharatiya Janata Party embraced Gandhian Socialism along with cultural nationalism as its ideology.

Option 1 : The erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh formed the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1984. False.  After the fall of the Janata Party and its break-up, the supporters of erstwhile Jana Sangh formed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980.

Option 2 : Initially, the Bharatiya Janata Party embraced Gandhian Socialism along with cultural nationalism as its ideology. Correct.

Option 3 : Before the 1970s, the Bharatiya Janata Party had emphasized the Hindu nationalist element in its ideology. False.  After 1986, the party began to emphasise Hindu nationalism as the core of its ideology.

Option 4 : The BJP got phenomenal electoral success in 1984. False. In the 1984 elections, BJP performed poorly (won only 2 seats), not phenomenal success.

NCERT :

"Communalism, Secularism, Democracy: The other long-term development during this period was the visible rise of politics based on religious identity leading to a debate about secularism and democracy. We noted in Chapter Six that in the aftermath of the Emergency, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh had merged with the Janata Party. After the fall of the Janata Party and its break-up, the supporters of erstwhile Jana Sangh formed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980. Initially, the BJP adopted a broader political platform than that of the Jana Sangh. BJP embraced ‘Gandhian’ Socialism’ along with cultural nationalism as its ideology. But it did not get much success in the elections held in 1984. After 1986, the party began to emphasise nationalism as the core of its ideology. The BJP also pursued the politics of ‘Hindutva’ for political mobilisation."