Spectrum Summary: V.P. Singh and Chandra Shekhar Governments (1989–1991) | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download
V.P. Singh and Chandra Shekhar Governments (1989-1991)
- Following the 1989 elections, the National Front lacked a majority in the Lok Sabha but asserted its claim to form the government. It secured support from the BJP and Left parties, albeit from the outside.
- On December 2, 1989, Vishwanath Pratap Singh was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India.
Vishwanath Pratap Singh
- Despite not having a parliamentary majority, the governing coalition gained control of both houses of Parliament after state legislative elections in March 1990.
- One of the initial decisions made by Prime Minister V.P. Singh was the recall of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) from Sri Lanka.
Kashmir Situation Worsens
- In December 1989, militants from the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) kidnapped the daughter of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the Union Home Minister.
- The Central government, facing JKLF demands, capitulated and released imprisoned militants.
- The Hizb-ul Mujahideen, led by Syed Salauddin, emerged as a prominent militant group, advocating more radical ideas, including the establishment of an Islamic regime.
- Salauddin had withdrawn from mainstream politics following the disputed elections of 1987.
- Militant activities escalated, with armed attacks on banks and grenade assaults on police stations, showcasing increased defiance.
- The Central government responded by deploying forces and appointing Jagmohan to the governorship.
Syed Salauddin
- Various incidents led many Kashmiris to support militants, with the call for 'Jihad' gaining prominence, emphasizing religion in the militants' agenda.
- The Hindu minority, especially the Kashmiri Pandits, became targets of brutal violence, resulting in numerous casualties.
- This violence triggered a mass exodus of Pandits from the Kashmir Valley to Jammu and other areas, turning them into refugees in their own land.
- Many Pandits continue to reside in refugee camps and makeshift accommodations, reluctant to return due to ongoing fears and uncertainties.
Implementation of the Mandal Commission Report
Mandal Commission, formed during Janata Party rule, submitted its report in December 1980; however, subsequent Congress governments, led by Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, did not implement the recommendations.
The commission advocated a connection between caste and backwardness, emphasizing the underrepresentation of Other Backward Castes (OBCs) in higher administration. It proposed a 27% job reservation in the central government for OBCs, in addition to existing reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Similar age relaxations were recommended for OBC candidates as for SC/ST.
Mandal Commission
V.P. Singh, seeking OBC support and to strengthen the Janata Dal's caste coalition, announced on August 7, 1990, the acceptance of the Mandal Commission recommendations, specifically implementing a 27% job reservation in the central government for socially and educationally backward classes.
Widespread protests erupted, particularly in North India, with instances of self-immolation and suicides among upper-caste youth who perceived heightened competition for government jobs. The southern states, already having reservation policies, remained largely unaffected.
The Supreme Court initially stayed the order, intervening in response to the protests. In November 1992, a nine-judge bench ruled 6-3 in favor of the reservation policy, with dissenting judges advocating for impersonal criteria over caste. The court imposed conditions: total reservations not to exceed 50%, and the caste criterion to be restricted to recruitment, not applicable to promotions.
By the time of the judgment, political parties acknowledged the electoral significance of the OBC factor in northern India and reconciled with the reservation order.
Mandal to Mandir: the Rath Yatra and Fall of the Government
The BJP grappled with internal divisions regarding the Mandal Commission recommendations, with some members expressing concerns about potential Hindu society fragmentation, while others acknowledged the importance of addressing the aspirations of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
In response to this internal dilemma, the BJP opted for a strategic shift in focus, emphasizing the construction of a Ram temple to mobilize Hindus. This decision was marked by L.K. Advani's leadership in initiating the Ram Rath Yatra, commencing in Somnath in September 1990.
The Ram Rath Yatra was planned to conclude in Ayodhya after touring various states, posing a significant challenge for Prime Minister V.P. Singh in terms of response and management.
Ram Rath Yatra, 1990
Chief Minister of Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav, took action to prevent the yatra from reaching Ayodhya, resulting in the arrest of Advani on charges of disturbing the peace and inciting communal tension. Advani was placed under preventive detention in a guest house during the yatra's passage through Bihar.
The aftermath of the yatra included widespread disturbances, particularly with the arrest of kar sevaks in Uttar Pradesh. This led to clashes and communal tensions between security forces and supporters of the temple construction.
As a consequence of these events, the BJP withdrew its support from the National Front government. Prime Minister V.P. Singh subsequently resigned in November 1990 following the loss of a confidence vote in the Lok Sabha.
The Chandra Shekhar Government(November 1990 - June 1991)
- With the impending collapse of the V.P. Singh government, Chandra Shekhar and Devi Lal, along with several others, chose to depart from the Janata Dal, leading to the formation of the Samajwadi Janata Party.
- In a recurrence reminiscent of the earlier situation with Charan Singh, the Congress once again extended support from outside to a minority government. This time, Chandra Shekhar, commanding a modest 64 MPs, assumed the leadership role.
Chandra Shekhar
- Chandra Shekhar effectively navigated the political landscape, winning a crucial vote of confidence. Subsequently, on November 10, 1990, he was sworn in as the prime minister, marking the initiation of a new phase in Indian politics under his leadership.
Troubled Economy
The economic situation deteriorated significantly, with a dangerous reduction in foreign exchange levels due to fiscal imbalances and a substantial debt burden from previous Congress-led governments.
In January 1991, Chandra Shekhar's government, with Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, secured IMF approval for two loans, committing to economic reforms in return.
During the February budget session, Congress withdrew support, preventing the minority government from presenting the complete budget.
Budget Session, 1991
In March 1991, facing a severe foreign exchange crisis, the government pledged the country's gold reserves, approved through an unconventional proposal involving confiscated gold.
Global credit-rating agencies placed India on watch by mid-March, making it challenging to secure funds. With no full budget or commitment to reforms, obtaining further funding from multilateral institutions became impossible.
Despite public criticism, Chandra Shekhar, as caretaker prime minister, authorized the gold pledge to address the liquidity crisis, a move crucial for the balance of payments and future economic reforms.
Chandra Shekhar's resignation in March 1991 led to the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, with President Venkataraman asking him to continue as caretaker prime minister until the new government assumed office in June.
Elections of 1991
The first phase of the General Elections unfolded in May 1991, only to be overshadowed by a tragic event on the night of May 21—the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. The subsequent phase of elections proceeded in June.
Rajiv Gandhi
Notably, the election results portrayed a discernible difference between the two phases. Before Rajiv's assassination, the Congress party's performance was relatively modest. However, in the June phase, there was a significant upswing in Congress's performance, reflecting a distinct sympathy wave.
Ultimately, despite becoming the largest party with 244 seats, the Congress fell short of securing a simple majority in the House, highlighting the complex dynamics and impact of the tragic event on the electoral landscape.
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