The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) (भारतीय जनता पार्टी [भाजपा]), translation: Indian People's Party) is a political party in India, founded in 1980. Designed to represent the country's majority community (Hindu) and the Sikh population in nature, the party advocates conservative social policies, self reliance, robust economic growth, foreign policy driven by a nationalist agenda, and strong national defence. The party has a strong relation with the Sangh Parivar, in which the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh plays a leading role. The party also advocates Free Markets. The BJP, in alliance with several other parties, was in power from 1998 to 2004, with Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the Prime Minister and Lal Krishna Advani as his deputy. It is the biggest constituent of the National Democratic Alliance which currently is in the opposition. (via Wikipedia)