The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 5th June 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

How India read the election, how the BJP reads the result

Why in News?

Five years ago, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) promulgated the phrase, ‘aayega toh Modi hi (in the end, Modi will come’). At the time, the phrase communicated an eorescence of support, particularly in the wake of a national tragedy and a subsequent government response in Pakistan. As the 2024 election came around, ‘aayega toh Modi hi’ gave way to a new slogan — ‘Abki baar 400 paar (this time, more than 400 seats’). The party imagined the election less as a contest and more as an anointment. While the chattering classes were focused on whether the BJP would win 240 seats or 340 seats, the average voter we spoke to understood the real implications of total control and this raised anxieties about democratic erosion. It is these anxieties that framed the contours of the 2024 elections.

Definition of Coalition Government

• The term "coalition" originates from the Latin word "coalitio," meaning "to develop together."
• Coalition refers to the process of merging different elements into a single entity.

Coalition Government in Politics

• In politics, a coalition is an alliance of multiple political parties.
• A coalition government is formed when political parties collaborate to establish a government.
• This type of government involves more than one political party working together.
• After a General Election, a coalition government may be formed if there is a hung parliament, where no single party has a clear majority.

Reasons for Forming Coalition Governments

• National Difficulty or Crisis: Formed to provide a government with high perceived political legitimacy or a strong collective identity during challenging times.
• Reducing Political Strife: Helps to decrease internal political conflicts.
• Alliance of Multiple Parties: Created through the collaboration of two or more parties.
• Majority Requirement: Formed when no single party receives a clear majority of votes in an election, necessitating a partnership to achieve a majority.

Coalition Government in India - Background

1. End of Congress System:

   • The Congress party was defeated in the 1989 elections.
   • Despite a significant majority with 415 seats in the 1984 elections, it lost its centrality.

2. Rise of Mandal Issue:

   • Disputes arose between supporters and opponents of the Mandal Commission.
   • The implementation of its recommendations to reserve jobs in the Central government for other backward classes fueled the controversy.

3. New Economic Reforms:

   • Rajiv Gandhi initiated various structural adjustment programs in 1991.

4. Demolition of Babri Masjid (December 1992):

   • Sparked debates on nationalism and secularism in India.
   • Led to the rise of the BJP and the spread of Hindutva politics.

5. Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi (1991):

   • Assassinated by a Sri Lankan Tamil during an election campaign in Tamil Nadu.
   • Leadership transferred to Narasimha Rao following his death.

Features of Coalition Government in India

1. Coalition Agreement:

   • A negotiated agreement between the parties forming the coalition government.
   • Codifies the cabinet's essential common aims and objectives.
   • Often written by legislative party leaders.

2. Temporary Convergence:

   • Based on the temporary convergence of specific interests.

3. Dynamic Nature:

   • Coalition politics is dynamic, with actors and organizations able to dissolve and form new coalitions.

4. Types of Coalitions:

   • Internal Coalitions:
     • Consist of individuals who already work within an organization, such as a workplace.
   • External Coalitions:
     • Formed by different parties or groups outside a single organization.

Emergence of New Consensus

Lok Sabha Election 2004

• UPA Formation: Congress formed the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) with support from Left Front parties.
• Close Vote Margins: Negligible difference in votes between Congress, BJP, and their allies.
• Four Major Political Forces: Congress coalition parties, BJP and its alliance, Left Front parties, and others.
• Broad Agreement Among Parties:
  • Consensus on economic policies.
  • Acceptance of political and social claims of backward classes.
  • Recognition of state-level parties' role in governance.
  • Emphasis on pragmatic considerations over ideological positions and alliances.

Coalition Government - Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• Inclusive Operation: Accommodates a variety of interests, addressing the needs of various parties.
• Strengthens Federal Fabric: More responsive to regional requests, reinforcing the Indian political system.
• Checks on Despotic Control: Less dominance by a single party, with collective decision-making.
• Encourages Consensus: Necessitates cooperation among diverse coalition partners, fostering political consensus.
• Representative Government: Reflects the electorate's diversity, aligning with public mood.

Disadvantages

• Instability: Prone to falling apart due to differences of opinion among coalition members.
• Constrained Leadership: Prime Minister's decision-making is limited, requiring consultation with coalition partners.
• Regional Pressure: Regional leaders influence national decisions, sometimes threatening to leave if demands are not met.
• Blame Games: Coalition members may avoid responsibility for administrative shortcomings by blaming each other.
• "King-Maker" Role: Smaller coalition partners can demand more influence than their parliamentary strength warrants.
• Super-Cabinet: Steering or Coordination Committees can undermine the cabinet's role, acting as a "Super-Cabinet."

Reasons for the Growth of Coalition Politics in India

• Economic Concerns: Critics worry coalitions might prioritize political concerns over sound economics.
• Comparative Economic Performance: Coalition administrations may perform better economically than single-party governments.
• Legislative Checks: Limited ability of the legislature to check executive authority under India's parliamentary system, especially post anti-defection statute.
• Policy Formulation: Single-party majorities are less pressured to discuss policies or face political risks if policies fail.
• Public Pressure: Coalition allies may withdraw support due to public dissatisfaction.
• Resource Mismanagement: Single-party governments more likely to waste political resources on harmful policies.