New parties and coalitions

The essentials

After the defeat of the Congress in 1989 no single party won a majority in the Lok Sabha for a long period. New parties and alliances shaped national politics.

Janata Dal: formed in 1988 by bringing together several opposition groups, it was led by V.P. Singh, who had left the Congress. In 1989 it formed the National Front government with regional parties such as the TDP, the DMK and the AGP. The government survived with outside support from the BJP and the Left parties. Outside support means a party backs a government in Parliament without joining its council of ministers.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): formed in 1980 by leaders who had earlier been in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. It won only 2 Lok Sabha seats in 1984, but its strength grew sharply from 1989, helped by its campaign on the Ayodhya issue and the idea of cultural nationalism (Hindutva).

Key points

• The V.P. Singh government fell in 1990 after the BJP withdrew support. Chandra Shekhar then became Prime Minister briefly with Congress support.
• Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in May 1991 during the election campaign. The Congress formed a minority government under P.V. Narasimha Rao (1991–96).
• Left parties such as the CPI and CPI(M) had their strongest base in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura, and played an important role in supporting coalitions from outside.
• Regional parties such as the TDP, DMK, AIADMK, AGP, Akali Dal and others became partners in national coalitions.
• Coalition politics led to bargaining over policy and positions but also made governments more representative of India's diversity.

Exam tips

• Remember the year of formation: BJP 1980, Janata Dal 1988.
• Understand the difference between joining a coalition government and giving outside support.

Common mistakes

• Thinking the BJP joined the National Front government in 1989; it supported it from outside.
• Confusing the National Front (1989) with the United Front (1996).