Important Questions: Recent Developments in Indian Politics | Political Science Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Highlight any two effects of the elections in 1989 on the politics of India.
Ans: The two effects of the elections in 1989 on the politics of India were as follows:

• Firstly, the defeat of the Congress Party.
• The role of Regional parties increased in the elections.

Q2: What does a coalition government mean? Mention any one example of such a government.
Ans: A coalition government is formed when many small political parties or groups in a house agree to join hands on a common platform by sinking their broad differences and form a majority in the house. For example, the UPA government formed in 2004 was a coalition government.

Q3: Name the two alliance fronts that formed the government at the center in 1989 and 1996 respectively.
Ans:

• National Front
• United Front.

Q4: Which political party emerged as the single largest party in the 1996 Parliamentary elections?
Ans: The Bharatiya Janata Party.

Q5: Name any two political parties, which were the components of the Third Front for the Lok Sabha elections in 2009.
Ans:

• C.P.I.
• C. P. M
• Bahujan Samaj Party
• Telugu Desam Party.

Q6: From which year did the era of coalition government at the center begin in India?
Ans: The era of the coalition government, at the center, began in India in 1989.

Q7: Explain the concept of a ‘coalition Government’.
Ans: A coalition government is formed when many small political parties or groups in a house agree to join hands on a common platform by sinking their broad differences and form a majority in the house.

Q8: Identify anyone similarity between the united front Government of 1996 and the National Front Government of 1989.
Ans: Both the Government of 1989 and 1996 included Janta Dal and Several other regional Parties.

Q9: Name two alliances/fronts that formed the government at the centre in 1989 and 1996 respectively. 
Ans: National front-1989,United front-1996.

Q10: Mention any two incidents of violence against minority community which are a threat to democracy.
Ans: 

• Violent anti-Mandal protest
• Godhra incident

Q11: What is the difference between a coalition party and coalition in Congress system?
Ans: Coalition party government refers government of more than two regional and political parties whereas coalition in Congress system refers to encouragement of various factions inside the party with different ideologies.

Q12: Which organisation took up the cause of Bahujans?
Ans: The Backward and Minority Classes Employees Federation (BAMCEF) took various steps and strong position in favour of political power to Bahujans including SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities.

Q13: What was the status of BSP?
Ans: The Bahujan Samaj Party emerged under the leadership of Kanshi Ram supported by Dalit voters in Punjab, Haryana and U.P. But in 1989 and 1991 elections, it achieved a breakthrough success in U.P.

Q14:  When did the phase of coalition politics begin?
Ans: With elections of 1989, coalition politics began in India i.e. National front in 1989, United Front in 1996 and 1997 and UPA in 2004.

Q15: When were new economic reforms announced?
Ans: In 1991.

Q16: Who was the chairperson of Mandal Commission? State any one recommen¬dation made by him/her.
Ans: Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal was the chairperson of Mandal Commission set up in 1978 to investigate the extent of educational and social backwardness among various sections of society and recommend ways to identify these classes.
The Mandal Commission gave its recommendations in 1980:

• The commission advised that backward classes should be understood to mean backward castes since many castes other than the SCs were also treated as low in caste hierarchy
  
• Reservation 27% seats in educational institutions and government jobs for these groups.
  
• It recommended land reforms to improve the condition of OBCs.
  
• Hence, Mandal commission made recommendations in economic and occupational structures.

Q17: State any two major political happenings of 1984 in India.
Ans: 

• Assassination of Indira Gandhi
• Lok Sabha elections were held.

Q18: What was change in electoral performance of Congress party and BJP from 1984¬2004?
Ans: 

• In the elections of 1989, Congress secured 197 seats but did not get majority. Therefore, it decided to sit in opposition.
  
• The National Front under V.P. Singh came to power supported by left front and BJP from outside.
  
• The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991 led to emergence of Congress as the single largest party and formed the government supported by AIADMK.
  
• In 1996, BJP minority government was formed for short period. Later in June 1996 United Front with the support of Congress formed the Government and H.D. Deve Gowda became Prime Minister and after 11 months I.K. Gujral came to power to rule till March 1998.
  
• From March 1998 to October 1999, BJP and other parties formed alliances NDA (National Democratic Alliance) under the leadership of Atal Behari Vajpayee and regional parties demanded more share in government to extend its support.
  
• In the elections of May 2004, Congress and its allies formed UPA (United Progressive Alliance) and came to power and Manmohan Singh became Prime Minister.

Q19: When was India’s New Economic Policy launched? Who was its chief architect?
Ans: It was launched in 1991 as the structure adjustment programme and it was started by the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao:

• India’s New Economic Policy was launched by the then Finance Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
• The economic changes first became visible in 1991 and radically changed the direction that Indian Economy had pursued since independence towards liberalised and open economy.

Q20: What happened to the state government after demolition of Babri Masjid?
Ans:

• The BJP state government was dismissed.
  
• Alongwith that, other states where the BJP was in power, were also put under President’s rule.
  
• A case against Chief Minister of U.P. was registered in Supreme Court.

Q21: What led to the serious debate over secularism?
Ans: The demolition of disputed mosque at Ayodhya on December 6,1992, by Karseva, led to a serious debate over secularism:

• Most political parties condemned the demolition and declared it to be against secularism.
  
• A debate took place about using religious sentiments for electoral purposes.

Q22: List the four groups to be emerged in 1990s.
Ans:

• Parties in coalition with Congress— UPA (United Progressive Alliance).
  
• Parties in alliance with BJP—NDA (National Democratic Alliance).
  
• Left front parties (Left Parties).
  
• Other parties not to be part of the rest (Others).

Short Answer Type Questions

Q23: Write a short note on United Progressive Alliance Government.
Ans: In the general elections of 2004, the ruling BJP was stunned by the scale of defeat and Congress was astounded by the edge they got over the rivals. The country’s first-ever Congress-led Coalition called the United Progressive Alliance government was formed under the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh. The United Progressive Alliance and its supporting left parties unveiled the Common Minimum Programme, laying down six principles for governance for the government. “The UPA makes a solemn pledge to the people of our country to provide a government that is corporation free, transparent and accountable at all times to provide an administration that is responsible and responsive at all times,” said the Prime Minister while releasing the document. However, the Prime Minister admitted the differences with the U.P.A, especially with the R.JD over women’s reservation.

Q24: When and why did a long phase of Coalition politics begin in India?
Ans: In India, the coalition era started in 1989 and became one of the most important features of the Indian political system.
The following reasons led to the emergence of the Coalition era in the Indian Democratic System:

• The coalition era came in the Indian democratic system with the split and failure of Congress in winning a majority.
• To build up a strong front against Congress, several political parties met which led to the formation of a coalition government.
• The greed for power and position led to the emergence of the coalition era.
• Disputes between Centre and State also caused the emergence of the coalition era in Indian democracy.

Q25: In what way do the coalition governments prove to be more democratic than the one-party governments?
Ans:

• Coalition government represents all shades of public opinion. Different communities get proper representation in the government.
• Coalition government protects the rights and liberties of the minorities.
• In a coalition government, various parties, accommodate each other.
• The coalition government restricts the dictatorship of one-party rule.

Q26: Explain the impact of coalition | government on Indian Politics.
Ans: The following are the impact of the coalition government on Indian politics.

• The coalition government brought political instability in India.
• Coalition ministries were very much large in size because they had to accommodate the interests of all the different partners.
• Coalition government created tension between center and states.
• It was during the coalition era that the relation between the coalition ministry and the respective governors became strained.

Q27: Write a short note on NDA.
Ans: On 15th May 1999 in an effort to project Unity and Cohesion, BJP and its allies including the DMK and the Indian Lok Dal floated a National Democratic Alliance with a common manifesto for contesting Lok Sabha elections under the leadership of Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee. National Democratic Alliance promised to give a stable, honest, transparent, and efficient government, capable of accomplished all-round development. In the 13th Lok Sabha elections, NDA secured 297 seats.
The NDA elected Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee its leader and the government was formed under its leadership. In the 14th Lok Sabha elections, NDA secured 186 seats. In the 15th Lok Sabha elections, NDA secured 159 seats. NDA secured 334 seats in the 16th Lok Sabha election held in 2014 and formed the government under the leadership of Sh. Narendra Modi. NDA again formed the Government under the leadership of Sh. Narendra Modi in 2019.

Q28: Describe any four major developments in the Indian politics since 1989.
Ans: In the midst of severe competition and many conflicts, a consensus appears to have emerged among most parties.
This consensus consists of four elements:

• Agreement on new economic policies: While many groups are opposed to the new economic policies, most political parties are in support of the new economic policies. Most parties believe that these policies would lead the country to prosperity and a status of economic power in the world.
  
• Acceptance of political and social claims of the backward castes: Political parties have recognised the social and political claims of the backward castes need to be accepted. As a result, all political parties now support reservation of seats for the ‘backward classes’ in education and employment. Political parties are also willing to ensure that the OBCs get adequate share of power.
• Acceptance of the role of state level parties in governance of the country: The distinction between state level and national level parties is fast becoming less important. State level parties are showing power at the national level and have played a central role in the country’s politics of last twenty years or so.
• Emphasis on pragmatic consid-erations rather than ideological positions and political alliances without ideological agreement: Coalition politics has shifted the focus of political parties from ideo-logical differences to power sharing arrangements. Thus, most parties of the NDA did not agree with the ‘Hindutva’ ideology of the BJP. Yet, they came together to form a government and remained in power for a full term.

Q29: When and why did a long phase of coalition politics begin in India?
Ans: The era of coalitions could be seen after 1989 elections onwards. The Congress was the largest party but did not achieve a single majority, hence it decided to act as opposition party. This led to National Front (Alliance of Janata Dal and other regional parties). It received major support from BJP and left front. BJP and left front did not join the government but gave support from outside. The coalition era had many PMs and some of them held office for short duration.

Q30: “Coal ition government helps in consensus building”. Do you agree with the statement? Give arguments in support of your answer.
Ans: In the midst of severe competition and conflicts, a consensus appears to have emerged among most parties consisting of following four elements:

• Most political parties were in support of new economic policies to lead the country to prosperity and a status of economic power in the world.
  
• All political parties supported , reservation of seats for backward classes in education and employment and even to ensure the OBCs to get adequate share of power.
  
• Role of state level parties was accepted in the governance of country.
  
• Coalition politics has shifted the focus of political parties from ideological differences to power sharing arrangements. Hence most of the NDA did not agree the Hindutva ideology of BJP, still they came together to form a government and remained in power for full term.

Q31: Write a note on Hindu-Muslim Riots in Gujarat.
Ans:

• The Anti-Muslim Riots took place at a station called Godhara in 2002.
  
• A fire took place on a bogey full of leorsevakos returning from Ayodhya.
  
• The hand of Muslims was suspected behind this fire.
  
• Widespread violence took place against muslims in which nearly 1100, mostly muslims were killed.
  
• Human Right commission criticised Gujarat government’s role in failing to control violence and provided relief to victims.
  
• Gujarat riots show that the government machinery also becomes susceptible to passion and alert us the danger involved in using religious sentiments for political purposes.

Q32: Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions:
Thus, with the elections of 1989, a long phase of coalition politics began in India. Since then, there have been nine governments at the Centre, all of which have either been coalition governments or minority governments supported by other parties, which did not join the government. In this new phase, any government could be formed only with the participation or support of many regional parties. This applied to the National Front in 1989, the United Front in 1996 and 1997, the NDA in 1997, BJP-led coalition in 1998, NDA in 1999 and the UPA in 2004.
1. What is meant by coalition politics?
2. Name any two regional political parties which were a part of coalition government.
3. Write the full form of NDA.
4. What does a minority government mean?
Ans:
1. Coalition politics does not have maj ority even to a single party but parties may enter into an alliance or get support of other parties to form government.
2. NDA and United front.
3. National Democratic Alliance.
4. Minority governments are supported by other parties which did not join the government.

Q33: Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions:
Infact the BSP, under Kanshi Ram’s leadership was envisaged as an organisation based on pragmatic politics. It derived confidence from the fact that the Bahujans (SC, ST, OBC and religious minorities) constituted the majority of the population, and were a formidable political force on the strength of their numbers.
1. Which organisation was formed by Kanshi Ram?
2. Name any two religious minorities.
3. Why are Bahujans considered a formidable political forces?
Ans:
1. BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party)
2. Muslims and Christians
3. Because Bahujans constituted the majority of population, hence they were formidable political force on strength of their numbers.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q34: Analyze any three developments towards the end of the 1980s that were to make a long-lasting impact on the politics of India.
Ans: The following are the developments that made a long-lasting impact on Indian Politics during the 1980s:

• The first major development was the defeat of the Congress Party their defeat marked the end of the ‘Congress System’.
• Prime Minister V.P. Singh announced, all of a sudden, the acceptance of the Mandal Report on August 7, 1990, in the Parliament. But this move of V.P. Singh alienated him from his senior-most colleagues. The student community launched a massive movement throughout the country against the implementation of the Mandal report.
• The Third Major development was the announcement of the New Economic Policy. With adopting the New Economic Policy, India Joined the Globalization and Liberalization Process.
• In June-July 1990 the BJP and Vishwa Hindu Parishad decided to construct Ram Mandir. In the meantime L.K. Advani started Rath Yatra from Somnath (Gujarat) to Ayodhya (U.P.). In Bihar, the Advani Yatra was stopped and he was arrested. BJP delegation led by Atal Behari Vajpayee met the President on 23rd October 1990 and presented a letter withdrawing support to the V.P. Singh government.
• The fifth major development was the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991, Which led to a change in leadership of the Congress Party.

Q35: Describe any three elements of growing consensus among most of the political parties of India after 1989.
Ans: India is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic country. In India, parliamentary democracy is established. For the successful working of parliamentary democracy, political parties are inevitable. In India, a multiple-party system exists. Election Commission recognized 7 national parties and 53 state-level parties. Each party wants to capture power. Thus, there is competition and conflicts among the political parties. Conflicts are there because each political party has its own ideology, policies, and programs. However, in the midst of severe competition and many conflicts, a consensus has emerged among political parties on the following:

• Full Faith in Constitutional System: All the political parties have full faith in the Constitutional system of India. For the registration of political parties, it is essential that the party should have true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India.
• Faith in Democracy and Secularism: All political parties have full faith in democratic values. Political parties are interested in capturing political power but through democratic methods. Mrs. Indira Gandhi imposed an emergency on 25th June 1975, but ultimately she held the election in a free and fair manner. Congress party was defeated in the election because they were responsible for emergency restrictions on the rights and liberties of the people.
• Policy of Non-alignment: There is a consensus on the policy of non-alignment. Non-alignment is the basic principle of India’s foreign policy. Not only Congress but non-Congress governments at the center also followed the policy of non-alignment.

Q36: In the 2014 elections, people have j voted for a stable government at the center. Do you think that the era of the coalition has ended? Support your j answer with suitable arguments.
Ans: During April-May 2014, B.J.P. won with 282 seats in the Lok Sabha elections and under the magnetic personality of Sh. Narendra Modi people have voted for a stable government at the center. Though after 1984, for the first time, the rule of the complete majority is established, one cannot conclude that an era of the coalition government has ended. However, in this election B.J.P received support from other NDA coalition parties thus accounting for 336 seats in the 2014 elections.

• Firstly, Regional political parties are having their full importance, and these parties fully influence and play their role in the National Politics of the country.
• Secondly, though BJP got a complete majority in the center, yet there is a coalition government in the center also and allies are Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiv Sena and Telugu Desam, etc.

In many states, the coalition government has been formed where the parties have failed to win a clear majority.

Q37: Describe any three major developments that left a long-lasting impact on the politics of India after the death of Rajiv Gandhi.
Ans:

• Weakened the Congress: After the death of Rajiv Gandhi, Congress was not able to get leadership from the Nehru family and it gave decline to the Congress. Thus, began an era of a multi-party system. No single party secured a clear cut majority, this development initiated an era of coalition governments at the center, in which regional political parties play a crucial role in informing the ruling alliance.
• Introducing New Economic Policies: In 1991 New Economic Policy was introduced by Dr. Manmohan Singh with this New Policy era of the liberal and the open market was started in India.
• Ayodhya dispute: In 1992 Ayodhya issue is another important development that left a long-lasting impact on the politics of India.

Q38: In 2014 elections, people have voted for a stable government at the Centre. Do you think that the era of coalition has ended? Support your answer with suitable arguments.
Ans: After Independence, Congress party came in power. It ruled over the country as a democratic government till 1977. One after the other the government was represented by the Congress Prime Ministers like Nehru, Shastri and then Mrs. Indira Gandhi. It was due to some political upheaval; a state Emergency was declared in 1975. During Emergency all the opposition leaders were jailed and their constitutional powers were seized. It made all the opposition leaders unite and form first united party in the name of Janata Party which came in power in 1977. The general election held soon after the Emergency. Though it couldn’t last long, but it started a new concept of rule in India. One after the other, India saw many governments ruled by alliance group, except a few single-party-led government. But with the elections of 1989, a long phase of coalition politics began in India. Since then there have been nine governments at the centre all of which have either been coalition government or minority government supported by other parties which did not join the government. The National Front government in 1989, the United Front government in 1996 and 1997, the NDA government in 1997, 1998 and 1999 and then UPA government in 2004 and 2009 and again BJP-led NDA government in 2014 have been the coalition governments in India. In none of these governments any one single party had the number enough to form the government at its own. But in 2014, there was a change in the pattern. BJP could gain 284 seats in the Lok Sabha election which was sufficient to form the government at its own -which required to only 272. But as the election was fought with a pre-poll alliance by NDA led by BJP. So the present government was formed with Narendra Modi, the leader of BJP.
This election shows that people are again turning to the single party government at the centre which may be stable. People have experienced the lack of stability, lack of policy decision and lack of proper development in the government ruled by the coalition group.

Q39: In the midst of severe competition and many conflicts in 1989, a consensus appeared to have emerged among most parties. Explain any three points.(or)
Examine growing consensus over the crucial issues.
Ans: In the midst of severe competition and conflicts, a consensus appears to have emerged among most parties consisting of following four elements:

• Most political parties were in support of new economic policies to lead the country to prosperity and a status of economic power in the world.
  
• All political parties supported reservation of seats for backward classes in education and employment and even to ensure the OBCS to get adequate share of power.
  
• Role of state level parties was accepted in the governance of country.
  
• Coalition politics has shifted the focus of political parties from ideological differences to power sharing arrangements. Hence most of the NDA did not agree with the Hindutva ideology of BJP, still they come together to form a government and remained in power for full term.

Q40: What was Mandal Commission? Did it try to solve the problems of other Backward classes? State any two arguments in support of your answer?
Ans: Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal was the chairperson of Mandal commission set up in 1978 to investigate the extent of educational and social backwardness among various sections of society and recommended way to identify these classes.
The Mandal commission gave its recommendations in 1980:

• The commission advised that backward classes should be understood to mean backward castes since many castes other than the SCs were also treated as low in caste hierarchy.
  
• Reservation 27% seats in educational institutions and government jobs for these groups.
  
• It recommended land reforms to improve the condition of OBCs.
  
• Hence, Mandal commission made recommendations in economic and occupational structures.

The government of India accepted recommendations in 1990:

• 27% jobs reservation has been made in central and state government.
  
• Many Welfare Schemes have also been launched as Swarnima National Backward classes Finance and Development Corporation.

Q41: Study the picture given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. What does the cartoon represent?
2. Describe the role of such government in Indian Democratic set up.
3. What does this statement “Support the government from outside” mean?
Ans:
1. A puppet government showing example of coalition government.
2. It plays negative and positive role both. In a negative way, it provides unstable form of government. In a positive way, it provides opportunities to regional parties also in forming ruling alliances.
3. No direct participation and position in government but support in the formation of government.

Q42: Study the picture given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. What does the picture indicate?
2. Which party is being referred to as one party dominance?
3. Identify female character in the cartoon.
Ans:
1. It depicts change from one party dominance to a multi-party alliance system.
2. Congress.
3. Mrs. Indira Gandhi.