Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which later led to Bharatiya Janata Party's formation, was alotted oil lamp as its symbol in 1951. After BJS merged with several parties to form Janata Party in 1977, it chose 'haldhar within wheel' symbol. EC froze the symbol after split in the party and recognised AB Vajpayee-led faction as BJP and allotted it the lotus symbol.