2025, Vol. 7, Issue 4, Part D

Author(s): Surinder Kumar and Rajdeep Kaur

Abstract: Coalition governments in India have been a significant feature of the country's political landscape, especially since the 1990s, marking a shift from single-party dominance to a more fragmented and diverse political structure. This paper provides a historical overview of coalition governments in India, tracing their emergence, evolution, and impact on the nation’s democratic process. The paper begins by examining the political scenario following India's independence, where the Congress Party dominated the political sphere. However, the decline of Congress’s unchallenged position, along with the rise of regional and smaller political parties, paved the way for coalition politics. The first significant coalition government came to power in 1977, with the Janata Party replacing the Congress-led government. The failure of this coalition highlighted the challenges inherent in such alliances, including ideological differences and unstable governance. The 1980s saw a return to Congress dominance under Indira Gandhi, but the 1990s marked a turning point. The post-1991 era, following economic reforms and the collapse of Congress’s central position, led to the formation of several coalition governments at both the national and state levels. The 1996 general elections were particularly notable, with no party achieving a clear majority, forcing the emergence of multi-party coalitions. The subsequent governments, including the United Front (1996-1998) and the National Democratic Alliance (1998-2004), and the United Progressive Alliance (2004-2014), highlighted the increasing role of regional and ideological parties in shaping national policies.

DOI: 10.33545/26646021.2025.v7.i4d.511

Pages: 299-304 | Views: 109 | Downloads: 13

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