Spectrum Test: V.P. Singh and Chandra Shekhar Governments (1989–1991) - UPSC MCQ

V.P. Singh's government was indeed formed with the support of the BJP and Left parties, but it did not have a majority in the Lok Sabha even after the March 1990 state legislative elections.

The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was recalled from Sri Lanka, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's daughter was kidnapped, and the Mandal Commission's recommendation of 27% job reservation was implemented.

The Mandal Commission Report was implemented first, followed by the Ram Rath Yatra, and finally, V.P. Singh's resignation.

The Chandra Shekhar Government was indeed supported by the Congress from the outside, but Chandra Shekhar did not command a majority in the Lok Sabha.

The V.P. Singh government did face protests over the Mandal Commission report, but the protests were primarily in North India, as the southern states were largely unaffected due to existing reservation policies.

The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi occurred in 1991, after the tenure of V.P. Singh's government.

The Chandra Shekhar government faced a significant economic crisis, which led to the pledging of gold reserves.

The BJP did withdraw its support following the arrest of L.K. Advani, which was a direct consequence of the government's handling of the Ram Rath Yatra.

Jagmohan was appointed as the governor of Jammu and Kashmir during this period.

The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi did create a sympathy wave for the Congress party in the 1991 elections, which resulted in improved performance in the second phase of the elections. However, despite becoming the largest party with 244 seats, the Congress did not secure a simple majority in the House.

V.P. Singh implemented the Mandal Commission recommendations and recalled the IPKF from Sri Lanka. Chandra Shekhar's government faced an economic crisis that led to the pledging of gold reserves.

The Hizb-ul Mujahideen was actually led by Syed Salauddin, not Jagmohan.

The Hizb-ul Mujahideen was actually led by Syed Salauddin, not Jagmohan.

Lalu Prasad Yadav, as the Chief Minister of Bihar, indeed played a key role in Advani's arrest, which was due to charges of disturbing peace and inciting communal tension. However, the reason for the arrest was not directly linked to Yadav’s actions, but to Advani's own during the yatra.

The implementation of the Mandal Commission Report was followed by the withdrawal of BJP support and eventually led to the resignation of V.P. Singh.

While it's true that India faced a severe foreign exchange crisis during Chandra Shekhar's tenure, the crisis was not resolved without international assistance. The government had to secure IMF approval for loans and even pledged the country's gold reserves.

The Central government responded to the escalating militant activities, including those by the JKLF, by deploying forces and appointing Jagmohan as the governor.

V.P. Singh implemented the Mandal Commission Report, L.K. Advani initiated the Ram Rath Yatra, and Lalu Prasad Yadav played a role in Advani's arrest.

The Supreme Court initially stayed the implementation but later ruled in favor of the reservation policy, with certain conditions like a cap on total reservations and restrictions on using caste for promotions.

While it is true that the economic situation during Chandra Shekhar's tenure led to the pledging of gold reserves, the crisis was due to fiscal imbalances and a substantial debt burden, not specifically because of excessive military spending.