Coalition governments in India

Coalition governments in India have played a significant role in the country’s political landscape, particularly since the 1980s. Read here to learn more about coalition governments in India, including their historical context, formation, challenges, and significance.

For the first time since 1962, a government has returned to power for the third consecutive term.

However, the Lok Sabha elections for 2024 results imply that there will be a coalition government as no single party crosses the majority mark 272.

The past two terms had seen single-party dominance in the lower house. The 18^th Lok Sabha heralds the return of coalition government in India.

Coalition government in India

After independence in 1947, India was predominantly governed by the Indian National Congress (INC), which had a strong majority in the Parliament.

The dominance of the Congress Party began to wane in the late 1960s and 1970s, leading to the emergence of regional parties and the necessity for coalition politics.

The Rise of Coalitions:

The first significant coalition government was formed in 1977 by the Janata Party, which united various opposition parties against the Congress Party after the Emergency period (1975-1977).

The coalition trend solidified in the 1980s and 1990s as no single party could secure an outright majority in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament).

Formation of Coalition Governments

• Electoral Alliances:
  • Political parties form pre-election or post-election alliances to secure a majority in the Lok Sabha.
  • Pre-election alliances are made to contest elections together and share seats to maximize electoral gains.
• Post-Election Coalitions:
  • If no single party wins a majority, parties negotiate post-election to form a coalition government. This involves agreeing on a common minimum program and sharing ministerial positions.
• Common Minimum Programme (CMP):
  • A CMP outlines the agreed policies and programs that coalition partners commit to implementing. It helps in managing ideological differences among coalition partners.

Punchhi and Sarkaria Commission on Coalition governments

Both commissions provided recommendations relevant to coalition politics, which has become increasingly prominent in India’s political landscape.

Sarkaria Commission (1983-1988)

The Sarkaria Commission was primarily tasked with reviewing the working of the existing arrangements between the Union and the states and recommending changes within the framework of the Constitution.

While it did not specifically focus on coalition politics, many of its recommendations are relevant to ensuring stable and effective governance, which is crucial in coalition settings.

Key Recommendations Relevant to Coalition Politics:

1. Governor’s Role:
   • The Governor should act impartially and not be influenced by political considerations, especially in coalition scenarios.
   • Governors should be consulted by the Union government before their appointment, considering the views of the Chief Minister.
   • Governors should be eminent persons from outside the state who are not involved in active politics.
2. President’s Rule:
   • President’s Rule (Article 356) should be used sparingly and as a last resort. This is particularly important in coalition governments to avoid misuse for political gains.
   • The imposition of the President’s Rule should be based on objective criteria, ensuring that a breakdown of constitutional machinery is evident.
3. Formation of Government:
   • In cases of a hung assembly, the Governor should invite the leader of the largest pre-poll alliance or the single largest party claiming support to form the government.
   • The Governor should ensure that the new government enjoys majority support in the assembly through a floor test.
4. Centre-State Relations:
   • Strengthening the Inter-State Council for better coordination between the Centre and the states, which is critical when coalition partners are from different states and parties.

Punchhi Commission (2007-2010)

The Punchhi Commission was established to look into the new issues of Centre-State relations in the context of socio-economic developments since the Sarkaria Commission’s recommendations.

Key Recommendations Relevant to Coalition Politics:

1. Governor’s Role:
   • The Governor should be a detached figure without political ties to ensure unbiased decisions, especially crucial during coalition formations.
   • The process for appointing the Governor should involve consultations with the state Chief Minister to maintain a non-partisan stance.
2. President’s Rule:
   • The application of the President’s Rule should be limited and subjected to judicial review to prevent its misuse, which can disrupt coalition governments.
   • A floor test should be the rule to ascertain the majority of the ruling coalition.
3. Model Code of Conduct:
   • The Model Code of Conduct should be given statutory backing to prevent coalition partners from misusing their power during elections.
4. National Integration Council (NIC):
   • The NIC should be revived and restructured to address the growing complexity of coalition politics and ensure national unity.
5. Inter-State Trade and Commerce:
   • Establish mechanisms to resolve disputes related to inter-state trade and commerce, which can become contentious in coalition arrangements with regional parties having divergent interests.
6. Coalition Stability:
   • Emphasized the need for stable coalitions and suggested mechanisms for improving coordination and policy consistency among coalition partners.
   • Advocated for the implementation of a Code of Conduct for coalition partners to ensure smooth functioning and adherence to agreed policies.
7. Fiscal Federalism:
   • Recommended reforms to ensure better fiscal management and distribution of resources between the Centre and the states, which is crucial for the stability of coalition governments where partners may represent different states with varying fiscal needs.

Notable Coalition Governments

• Janata Party Government (1977-1980):
  • Formed by an alliance of parties like Janata Party, Bharatiya Lok Dal, and others.
  • Collapsed due to internal conflicts and defections.
• PV Narasimha Rao government (1991-1996:
  • In 1991, when India was facing a foreign reserves crisis, Narasimha Rao’s government brought about three big-ticket economic reforms – globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation.
• National Front Government (1989-1990):
  • Led by V.P. Singh with support from the Left Front and BJP.
  • Fell apart due to differences over policy issues and support withdrawal by BJP.
• United Front Government (1996-1998):
  • Consisted of regional parties and the Left Front, supported by the Congress Party from outside.
  • Short-lived due to instability and withdrawal of support by the Congress Party.
• National Democratic Alliance (NDA):
  • Formed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and several regional parties.
  • First successful coalition under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998-2004).
  • It has been led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014.
• United Progressive Alliance (UPA):
  • Led by the Congress Party with support from various regional and leftist parties.
  • Governed from 2004 to 2014 under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Challenges of Coalition Governments

• Political Instability:
  • Coalition governments can be unstable due to differing agendas and interests of coalition partners.
  • Frequent threats of withdrawal of support can lead to governmental paralysis or collapse.
• Policy Compromises:
  • Coalitions often result in policy compromises to keep partners satisfied, which can dilute the effectiveness of governance.
• Internal Conflicts:
  • Managing diverse ideologies and regional aspirations within a coalition can be challenging.
  • Internal conflicts and lack of cohesion among partners can hinder decision-making.
• Short-Term Focus:
  • Coalition governments may focus more on short-term survival rather than long-term policy planning and implementation.

Significance of Coalition Governments

• Representation of Diverse Interests:
  • Coalition governments allow for a broader representation of regional, linguistic, and ideological groups in governance.
  • This inclusivity can lead to more balanced and equitable policy decisions.
• Checks and Balances:
  • Coalitions can provide a system of checks and balances, preventing any single party from having unchecked power.
  • This can lead to more consensual and democratic decision-making.
• Political Stability:
  • While coalitions can be unstable, successful coalitions like the NDA and UPA have provided stable governments for extended periods.
  • Stability is achieved through effective management of coalition partners and adhering to the CMP.
• Evolution of Federalism:
  • Coalition governments have strengthened Indian federalism by giving regional parties a significant role in national politics.
  • This has led to greater attention to regional issues and development.

Conclusion

Coalition governments have become a defining feature of Indian politics, reflecting the country’s diverse and pluralistic society.

While they pose challenges in terms of stability and policy coherence, they also promote inclusivity, representation, and democratic governance.

The success of coalition governments depends on the ability of political leaders to negotiate, compromise, and work collaboratively towards common goals.

-Article by Swathi Satish