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What is Coalition Government in India?

Coalition Government in India

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Why in News: The 18th Lok Sabha election in India was recently held, and no political party achieved the necessary majority (272/543) to form the government at the centre. The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party. The NDA(BJP and its coalition allies) was successful in forming a government.

Summary of Coalition Government

The Recent 18th Lok sabha General Elections has resulted into the formation of Coalition Government, when no single political party is able to cross the majority mark of 272 seats, The BJP led NDA which secured 293 seats was able to form the government. Since the decline of dominance of Congress since 1989 elections, which led to the emergence of National front led by the alliance of Janta Dal and other regional parties, the era of Coalition governments was in place till 2014, after which there was a Full majority Government for two consecutive terms, till 2024. The Coalition government offers inclusive decision making, increased accountability but at the same time it also hampers the stability of government, gives rise to interference in the policy implementation, policy paralysis and delayed decision making. The concept of hung assembly also arises with this, and the application of discretionary power of the president in inviting the leader of largest political party to form the government with the support of others.

A coalition government is formed when multiple political parties collaborate to govern, especially when no single party secures a majority. In India, such governments are common in situations where no party can achieve the required majority in the Lok Sabha, leading to alliances among parties to form a government.

Coalition governments in India became prominent after the decline of the Congress party's dominance, beginning with the 1989 election when the National Front, an alliance of Janata Dal and regional parties, won. The era of coalition governments continued until 2014, with multiple parties forming governments due to no single party achieving a majority.

Coalition governments can cater to diverse interests, enhance federalism, ensure inclusive decision-making, and resist autocratic tendencies. They often lead to strong political consensus and better representation of various cultures, languages, and communities.

Coalition governments can be prone to instability, as smaller coalition partners may exert disproportionate influence, leading to compromises in leadership and decision-making. Regional biases and lack of accountability for administrative mistakes can also be significant challenges.

A hung parliament occurs when no single party secures an absolute majority of seats in the legislature. In such cases, the President may invite the leader of the largest party or coalition to form the government. The Punchhi Commission's recommendations guide the process of forming a government in such scenarios, emphasizing the importance of stability and broad support.

Key Details

What is a coalition government?

Anti-Defection and Coalition government

How did coalition governments come into being in India?


Period Coalition Prime Minister (Party)
1977-1979 Janata Party Morarji Desai (Congress (O))
1979-1980 Janata Party (Secular) Charan Singh (Janata (S))
1989-1990 National Front V. P. Singh (Janata Dal)
1990-1991 Janata Dal (Socialist) or Samajwadi Janata Party Chandra Shekhar (Janata Dal (S) or Samajwadi Party)
1996-1997 United Front H. D. Deve Gowda (Janata Dal)
1997-1998 United Front I. K. Gujral (Janata Dal)
1998-1999 BJP-led Coalition A. B. Vajpayee (BJP)
1999-2004 National Democratic Alliance (NDA) A. B. Vajpayee (BJP)
2004-2009 United Progressive Alliance(UPA) Manmohan Singh (Congress)
2009-2014 United Progressive Alliance - II (UPA-II) Manmohan Singh (Congress)
2014-2019 National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Narendra Modi (BJP)
2019-present National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Narendra Modi (BJP)

Advantages of the Coalition Government

Disadvantages of the Coalition Government

Challenges and priorities before the recently formed coalition government in India

Hung Parliament

In parliamentary systems, a Hung Parliament is a crucial concept when no single party obtains an absolute majority of seats in the legislature. A nation's political dynamics, stability of government, and policy-making procedures can all be significantly impacted by this circumstance. Example. 1990- V.P. Singh government, 1996- Vajpayee government, 1996-1998 United Front government.

President’s discretionary power in Hung parliament (It is Convention and not mentioned in Constitution):

  • President calls upon the head of the largest coalition, or the leader of the largest single party to form the government.
  • The President may use his discretion to choose a candidate who, in his judgement, will be able to establish a stable government if he is confident that the leader of the single largest party will not be able to win the support of the majority in the House.
  • The most competent leader as per his view is invited by him to establish the government.

Punchhi Commission on hung legislature

  • The Punchhi Commission made a clear recommendation about the procedure that governors should follow when choosing chief ministers in hung legislature, which are applicable for President in the case of parliament:
    • If there is a pre-poll alliance or coalition, it should be treated as a single political party, and if such coalition obtains a majority, the leader of such coalition shall be called upon by the Governor to form the Government.
    • The party or group of parties commanding broad support in the Legislative Assembly should be invited to form the Government.
    • Where no clear majority of any party or pre-poll coalition exists, the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor in the following order. The pre- poll coalition of parties that held the majority of strength after the election.
  • With the backing of others, the largest single party stakes a claim to form the government.
  • A coalition formed after the election in which all members join the government
  • A coalition formed after elections, with certain parties joining the administration and the remainder, including independents, providing outside support for the government.

Conclusion of Coalition Government

"In the intricate tapestry of coalition governments, unity in diversity emerges, proving that 'political plurality fosters consensus and resilience'—a testament to India's democratic ethos and governance evolution."

UPSC Prelims PYQs of Coalition Government

With reference to the Fourteenth Finance Commission, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2014)
1. It covers the period between 2015-20.
2. It recommended the distribution of divisible pool of taxes between the Union and the States.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) both 1 and 2
(d) neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer :(c) both 1 and 2
Consider the following statements: (2015)
1. The Legislative Council of a state in India can be larger in size than half of the Legislative Assembly of that particular state.
2. The Governor of a state nominates the Chairman of the Legislative Council of that particular state.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer :(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Main PYQS of Coalition Government

Discuss the role of regional political parties in the context of coalition governments in India. How have they influenced the federal structure of the country? (2013)
Coalition governments have become the norm in India in the last few decades. Discuss the reasons behind the rise of coalition politics and the challenges it poses to the Indian political system. (2015)
Examine the role of the President in the formation of a government in a situation where no single party or pre-poll alliance commands a clear majority in the Lok Sabha. (2017)
Analyze the impact of coalition politics on the functioning of the Indian Parliament and its legislative process. (2020)

EXPECTED QUESTIONS FOR UPSC CSE - Prelims MCQs

Which factors contribute to the stability and effectiveness of coalition governments in India?
1. Dominance of a single party within the coalition.
2. Diverse ideological alignments among coalition partners.
3. Consensus-building mechanisms in policy formulation.
4. High number of political leaders of various parties.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3 only

Correct Answer :(b) 2 and 3 only

EXPECTED QUESTIONS FOR UPSC CSE - Descriptive Question

"Analysing the dynamics of coalition governments in India, what are the key factors influencing their stability, effectiveness in governance, and impact on policy formulation compared to single-party governments?" [10 marks] [150 words]

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