Abstract

The political landscape of Gujarat has undergone a significant transformation over the past few decades, marked by the shift of power from the Congress Party to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Once a stronghold of Congress, Gujarat witnessed a steady decline in its influence, culminating in BJP’s dominance since the mid-1990s. This study examines the socio-political factors that contributed to this power shift, focusing on electoral trends, leadership influence and governance strategies.Using a mixed-methods approach, this research incorporates historical analysis, electoral data interpretation and secondary sources such as government reports, academic literature and media narratives. The research highlights journey and decline of Congress in Gujarat, critical events such as the political instability in Gujarat, the leadership of Narendra Modi and his ability to consolidate a strong voter base in Gujarat. Findings suggest that BJP’s success was not only due to Congress’s decline but also to its ability to adapt to Gujarat’s evolving socio-economic landscape, leveraging identity politics and economic growth as electoral tools. Findings suggest that BJP’s success in Gujarat can be attributed to a combination of effective political strategy, ideological consolidation and economic policies appealing to various voter segments. The research underscores the broader implications of Gujarat’s political shift on national politics, serving as a case study for understanding BJP’s electoral strategy across India. The study concludes that Gujarat’s political transformation reflects deeper socio-political currents, making it a crucial model for analysing contemporary political dynamics in India.