Spectrum Test: Three Prime Ministers in Three Years (1996–1999) - UPSC MCQ

Atal Bihari Vajpayee's first term as Prime Minister in 1996 was indeed very brief, lasting only 13 days. He resigned due to the inability of the BJP to secure enough support for a confidence vote in the Lok Sabha.

Vajpayee's short term ended after 13 days, Deve Gowda's government made agreements with China and Bangladesh, and the Gujral Doctrine was a key policy of I.K. Gujral's term.

The United Front government was indeed supported by the Congress party from the outside. The Fodder Scam in Bihar involved Lalu Prasad Yadav, leading to his resignation from his party and the formation of the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

Vajpayee's brief term as Prime Minister was followed by H.D. Deve Gowda's term, after which I.K. Gujral became Prime Minister and introduced the Gujral Doctrine.

The BJP won the most seats in the 1996 general elections but could not form a stable government due to a lack of support from other parties for a confidence vote.

Lalu Prasad Yadav, involved in the Fodder Scam, resigned from his party and formed the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

During H.D. Deve Gowda's term, the government made agreements with China and Bangladesh.

The Jain Commission report investigated the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, and its findings led to the Congress withdrawing support from Gujral's government due to the involvement of the DMK.

During I.K. Gujral's tenure, there was a controversial decision about implementing president's rule in Uttar Pradesh.

Sonia Gandhi did enter politics during the 1998 general elections. This election marked the fourth consecutive time since 1989 that no single party won a clear majority, which is a significant factor for her entry into politics.
These questions cover various aspects of the political scenario in India between 1996 and 1999, focusing on the prime ministers, political events, and policies of the time. They are designed to test a candidate's knowledge and understanding of this period in Indian political history, suitable for a UPSC-style exam.

The United Front government was indeed a coalition of around 13 different parties, but it was initially led by H.D. Deve Gowda, not I.K. Gujral.

Vajpayee did not have a specific policy mentioned here, Deve Gowda was involved in confidence-building agreements with China, and the Gujral Doctrine was the key policy of I.K. Gujral.

The Congress party withdrew its support from the United Front government in April 1997, leading to its fall.

Vajpayee resigned first, followed by Lalu Prasad Yadav forming the Rashtriya Janata Dal, and later, the introduction of the Gujral Doctrine occurred.

The Jain Commission report did implicate the DMK, and this led to Congress withdrawing its support from the United Front government, leading to its fall.

Shankar Dayal Sharma was the President of India when Atal Bihari Vajpayee first became Prime Minister in 1996.

Lalu Prasad Yadav was a member of the Janata Dal before he formed the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

While the BJP did form a coalition with regional parties in the 1998 general elections, this coalition did not lead to a clear majority for the BJP in the Lok Sabha.

The Gujral Doctrine was primarily aimed at building friendly and cooperative relationships based on equality and non-interference with India's neighboring countries.

Sonia Gandhi campaigned for the Congress party during the 1998 general elections; she was not the Prime Ministerial candidate, nor did her entry lead to a clear majority for Congress, and she did not form a new political party.