Spectrum Summary: The NDA Years (1998–2004) | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download
| Table of contents |
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| Introduction |
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| NDA Government: First Stint (March 1998-October 1999) |
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| NDA: Second Stint (October 1999-May 2004) |
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| 2004 General Elections |
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Introduction
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) held two periods in government: initially from March 1998 to October 1999 and subsequently from October 1999 to May 2004.
National Democratic Alliance
NDA Government: First Stint (March 1998-October 1999)
After the 1998 elections, the BJP formed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with various regional parties.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, representing the BJP, became the leader of the NDA and was sworn in as prime minister in March 1998 for the second time.
The NDA successfully demonstrated its majority in the Lok Sabha.
The government's duration extended until April 1999 when the AIADMK withdrew from the NDA.
A crucial no-confidence motion on April 17, 1999, resulted in the government's defeat by a single vote, primarily attributed to Giridhar Gamang's vote.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Despite having served as the chief minister of Orissa, Gamang's technical status as an MP played a pivotal role in the government's loss.
With no viable alternative presented by the Opposition to form a new government, President K.R. Narayanan dissolved the Lok Sabha.
Fresh elections were conducted in September–October 1999, during which Vajpayee continued as the caretaker prime minister.
Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar and some leaders left the Congress due to differences when the party chose Sonia Gandhi as its head.
The brief tenure of the Vajpayee government witnessed several noteworthy events.
Pokhran II: Operation Shakti
In May 1998, India conducted a series of five nuclear explosions at the Indian Army's Pokhran Test Range under Operation Shakti.
The operation included the underground detonation of a regular fission device, fusion devices, and a 'sub-kiloton' device.
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee officially declared India as a full-fledged nuclear state in a press conference.
Key scientists involved were A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, future President of India, and R. Chidambaram, Director of the Department of Atomic Energy.
Operation Shakti
May 11 is celebrated as National Technology Day in commemoration of these nuclear tests.
The secrecy of the detonations shocked the world, especially the US, leading to an all-time low in US-India relations.
In response, the US implemented the Glenn Amendment for the first time, imposing new sanctions.
Pakistan responded with its nuclear tests, Chagai I and II, also in May 1998, seemingly in response to India's actions.
In June, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution condemning both the Indian and Pakistani nuclear tests.
The Lahore Summit
In the latter part of 1998 and early 1999, Prime Minister Vajpayee actively pursued a diplomatic peace process with Pakistan.
An instrumental step in this effort was the inauguration of the Delhi-Lahore bus service in February 1999. In a symbolic move, Prime Minister Vajpayee personally traveled to Lahore using this newly established transportation link.
Nawaz Sharif
During a summit in Lahore in February 1999, Prime Minister Vajpayee of India and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan signed the Lahore Declaration. This landmark agreement expressed a shared commitment to several key principles:
- Fostering a meaningful dialogue between the two nations.
- Expanding trade relations for mutual benefit.
- Nurturing a climate of mutual friendship.
- Refraining from intervention and interference in each other's internal affairs.
- Taking immediate steps to reduce the risk of accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons.
Additionally, the leaders reaffirmed their joint condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They expressed a firm determination to combat terrorism and underscored their commitment to protecting all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Kargil War
Barely three months after the Lahore summit, armed militants and Pakistani soldiers infiltrated Kashmir, seizing control of strategic points, including hilltops and unmanned border posts.
The incursion, orchestrated by the Pakistani military under General Musharraf, without the knowledge of the civilian prime minister, focused on the Kargil district.
The Indian Army learned of the infiltration in May 1999 from local shepherds.
A coordinated effort by the Indian army and Air Force, known as 'Safed Sagar,' was initiated to counter the Pakistani infiltration. However, strict orders were given not to cross the Line of Control.
Captain Vikram Batra
Operation Vijay was successful, with the Indian forces recapturing peaks, including Tiger Hill in the Drass sector. These vantage points were crucial as they overlooked the Srinagar-Leh highway, a vital all-weather road link between the two towns.
In June, Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan sought U.S. intervention, but President Bill Clinton declined until Pakistani troops withdrew from the Line of Control.
Nawaz Sharif subsequently ordered the suspension of the Pakistani operation.
By July 26, 1999, the war concluded with India emerging victorious in Kargil.
The Kargil victory bolstered Vajpayee's image as a decisive and sensible leader, instilling patriotic sentiments among the public.
NDA: Second Stint (October 1999-May 2004)
The memory of the Kargil war was vivid in the public consciousness as the nation headed to the polls in 1999. There was widespread public backing for the NDA, with a notable focus on the prime minister. The election outcomes provided the NDA, led by the BJP, with a majority, gaining support from new allies like the Janata Dal (United) and the DMK.
Logo of Janata DalOn October 13, 1999, Atal Bihari Vajpayee took the oath as the prime minister for the third term.
Economic and Social Steps
The NDA government continued and advanced the economic reforms initiated by the Narasimha Rao government.
Special attention and encouragement were directed towards infrastructure development, focusing on key areas such as telecom and highways, including the National Highways Development Project and the Golden Quadrilateral.
Rural connectivity received emphasis through the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, aiming to provide all-weather roads in rural areas.
The services sector, especially the software industry, was actively supported and promoted.
A new telecom policy was introduced, and state monopolies like VSNL were privatized.
Fiscal changes, such as duty-free imports, were implemented to facilitate economic growth.
The Disinvestment Commission was upgraded to the status of a ministry.
Opening up the economy attracted foreign companies to invest in Indian markets, with efforts to encourage foreign investment, particularly from Europe and the US.
The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act of 2003 aimed to institutionalize financial discipline, reduce fiscal deficits, and enhance overall macroeconomic and public fund management.
The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, launched in 2000-2001, aimed at achieving the universalization of elementary education.
The Constitution 86th Amendment Act, 2002, incorporated the right to education into the Fundamental Rights of the Constitution.
Terrorist Trouble and Relations with Pakistan
In December 1999, Pakistani terrorists hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC 814 from Nepal and took it to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
The government complied with the terrorists' demands, leading to the release of certain individuals, including Maulana Masood Azhar, in exchange for the passengers' freedom.
This incident resulted in a deterioration of relations between India and Pakistan.
Maulana Masood Azhar
In July 2001, Prime Minister Vajpayee attempted to improve relations by inviting Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf to Delhi and Agra for a summit and peace talks.
However, no breakthrough occurred as Musharraf insisted on addressing the Kashmir issue.
In December 2001, the attack on the Parliament House in Delhi, carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, further strained Indo-Pakistani relations.
In response to this attack and other terrorist incidents, the government successfully passed the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).
Relations with the US
India strengthened ties with the United States, marked by a visit from President Clinton. During this period, efforts were undertaken to enhance trade relations and foster cooperation on strategic matters.
Kashmir Elections
In September 2002, elections took place in Kashmir, with the Election Commission ensuring their fairness and freedom. Despite calls from militants to boycott the elections, the people participated enthusiastically, leading to the National Conference losing power. The Congress-Peoples Party alliance emerged victorious.
Kashmir Elections, 2002
The Downside
In 2001, Defence Minister George Fernandes resigned over the Barak Missile Deal scandal and issues related to the supply of coffins for Kargil soldiers.
An inquiry commission's report suggested that the government could have prevented the incursion in Kargil.
The BJP party chief Bangaru Laxman faced controversy after reportedly accepting a bribe, captured in one of the media's early sting operations.
In February 2002, the Sabarmati Express caught fire in Godhra, Gujarat, resulting in the death of several pilgrims and kar sevaks returning from Ayodhya.
Sabarmati Express Incident, 2002
It was widely believed that a Muslim mob set fire to the compartments, leading to communal riots with extreme violence, primarily in Ahmedabad and Vadodhra.
The riots considered a pogrom, resulted in the targeted violence against Muslims.
Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat at the time, faced severe criticism for allegedly being unable or unwilling to control the situation.
Prime Minister Vajpayee officially condemned the events, and there are beliefs that he considered asking Modi to resign, although internal party dynamics dissuaded him from pursuing that course.
Significance of NDA
The NDA government achieved the remarkable feat of completing almost its entire term, a first for a non-Congress government.
Prime Minister Vajpayee demonstrated efficiency in navigating the complexities of coalition politics, effectively managing a multi-party alliance.
The completion of the NDA's term indicated the availability of a credible alternative to the Congress at the national level, crucial for a truly democratic state.
The government introduced noteworthy programs during its tenure.
The commitment to further liberalize the economy under the NDA proved beneficial for India.
2004 General Elections
The government decided on early polls, resulting in the dissolution of the Lok Sabha in February.
Elections were held in April-May 2004.
The government, buoyed by its slogan 'India Shining' and successes in assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, might have been confident.
However, sentiments on the ground were different from the government's optimism.
The campaign's emphasis on economic issues could have disappointed those supporting the BJP on ideological grounds.
The outcome was the NDA's loss, with the Congress, led by Sonia Gandhi, emerging as the single largest party.
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Dec 18, 2024 Last updated |
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