Recent Developments in Indian Politics

The final chapter provides a synoptic view of India’s political landscape over the last two decades, focusing on significant developments, complexities, and unexpected outcomes. The intricacies of Indian politics in the 1990s made it difficult to predict the shifts in power structures. Several pressing questions arose during this period, such as the implications of coalition politics, the rise of Mandal politics, and the legacy of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the shift in Indian politics due to the decline of Congress dominance.
2. Comprehend the rise and effects of Mandalisation on political representation.
3. Examine the legacy of the Ramjanambhoomi movement and its impact on political mobilization.
4. Explore the emergence of new economic policies and their political implications.

Context of Indian Politics in the 1990s

The decade of the 1990s saw a significant shift in Indian politics. It was a time marked by the decline of Congress and the rise of regional and caste-based parties. The following are the key developments:

1. Defeat of Congress in 1989: The Congress party, which had held a dominant position since independence, suffered a major defeat in the 1989 general elections. The party, which secured 415 seats in 1984, was reduced to just 197 seats. Although it returned to power in 1991, the 1989 elections signaled the end of Congress dominance, a political structure known as the “Congress system.”
2. Mandal Issue and OBC Reservation: The implementation of the Mandal Commission’s recommendation to reserve jobs for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in 1990 became a significant turning point. The decision triggered widespread protests and played a pivotal role in shaping future political discourse around caste-based reservations.
3. New Economic Reforms: A radical shift in economic policies began with Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure and gained momentum in 1991. These policies marked a departure from the protectionist policies India had followed since independence, drawing sharp criticism and endorsement from various quarters.
4. Ayodhya and the Rise of Hindutva Politics: The demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 was a watershed moment in Indian politics. It was a catalyst for the rise of Hindutva politics, symbolized by the increasing influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and deepened debates about secularism and nationalism.
5. Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi: In 1991, the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi by an LTTE member changed the leadership dynamics within the Congress party, leading to the election of Narasimha Rao as Prime Minister.

Decline of Congress and Rise of Coalition Politics

The 1989 elections ushered in an era of coalition politics, replacing the single-party dominance of Congress. No party secured a clear majority in subsequent elections, and coalition governments became the norm.

1. End of the Congress System: The 1989 elections marked a major shift. Congress remained a key player, but it no longer dominated the political landscape as it had in earlier decades.
2. Emergence of Multi-Party System: The political scene became more fragmented, with a number of regional and caste-based parties emerging as key players in national politics. Since 1989, no single party won a clear majority in any Lok Sabha election until 2014, leading to coalition governments.
3. Coalition Governments: From 1989 onward, coalition governments became the rule rather than the exception. Regional parties like the DMK, TDP, and others played a significant role in determining the composition of central governments.

Note: The shift from single-party dominance to coalition governments can be seen as a democratizing trend, reflecting the growing diversity of Indian society.

Mandal Politics and OBC Representation

One of the most defining features of Indian politics in the 1990s was the rise of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) as a political force, especially following the implementation of the Mandal Commission’s recommendations.

1. Reservation Policy: The Mandal Commission recommended reserving 27% of jobs in central government services for OBCs. This decision was met with violent protests, especially from upper-caste groups, but it also led to greater political mobilization among OBCs.
2. Political Mobilization: The Mandal Commission’s recommendations and the subsequent protests helped mobilize OBC communities, making caste-based representation a central theme in Indian politics.
3. Dalit Politics: The rise of Dalit politics, particularly the formation of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) under Kanshi Ram, marked a significant shift. Dalits, who had long been marginalized, began asserting their political rights, leading to an era of caste-based political mobilization.

Economic Reforms and the Changing Political Landscape

The 1990s also saw a paradigm shift in economic policies with the introduction of economic liberalization, which impacted the political landscape in various ways.

1. Structural Adjustment Program: The economic reforms of 1991, which were initiated under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and Finance Minister Manmohan Singh, marked the beginning of a new era in India’s economic policy. These reforms focused on liberalization, privatization, and globalization.
2. Criticism and Endorsement: While the reforms were credited with boosting India’s economic growth, they were also criticized for increasing economic inequality and concentrating wealth among certain groups.
3. Political Impact: The consensus around economic reforms transcended party lines. Both Congress and BJP, along with many regional parties, continued to support liberal economic policies despite occasional disagreements.

Ramjanambhoomi Movement and the Rise of BJP

The 1990s witnessed the rise of the BJP as a political force, largely due to its association with the Ramjanambhoomi movement and Hindutva politics.

1. Ayodhya and Babri Masjid Demolition: The demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 became a flashpoint for communal tensions across the country. The BJP, along with organizations like the RSS and VHP, used the Ramjanambhoomi issue to galvanize Hindu nationalist sentiments, leading to its rise as a major political player.
2. Communal Politics: The events surrounding the Ayodhya dispute raised concerns about the growing communalization of Indian politics. It also brought issues like secularism and minority rights to the forefront of national debates.
3. Political Consolidation of BJP: The BJP capitalized on the Ramjanambhoomi movement to broaden its base among the Hindu electorate. In 1996, it emerged as the single largest party in the Lok Sabha, marking its transformation from a marginal player to a dominant force in Indian politics.

Important Note: The rise of Hindutva politics redefined the terms of political discourse in India, bringing religion to the center of electoral politics.

Emergence of a New Policy Consensus

Despite the competitive nature of Indian politics in the 1990s, a broad consensus emerged among most political parties on several key issues:

1. Economic Liberalization: A consensus developed around the need for economic reforms, with both Congress and BJP supporting liberalization policies despite differences in other areas.
2. Acceptance of Backward Caste Claims: The social and political claims of OBCs were increasingly recognized by most political parties. This resulted in broad support for policies like reservations in jobs and educational institutions.
3. Role of Regional Parties: Regional parties began playing a central role in national politics, sharing power at the center and influencing policy decisions. The distinction between state-level and national-level parties became less relevant in this new political order.
4. Pragmatic Alliances: Coalition politics necessitated pragmatic alliances, often cutting across ideological lines. This led to partnerships like that of the BJP with non-Hindutva parties in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress with left-wing parties in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

The Role of Dalit and OBC Politics

The 1990s also saw the political mobilization of Dalits and OBCs, leading to the rise of new political parties representing these groups.

1. Rise of BSP: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) emerged as a significant force in North Indian politics, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. The BSP, under Kanshi Ram and later Mayawati, mobilized Dalit voters and advocated for the political empowerment of marginalized communities.
2. Independent Development of Dalit and OBC Politics: While Dalit and OBC politics developed independently in many parts of India, they often competed with each other for political space, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
3. Caste-based Political Parties: Several regional parties emerged to represent the interests of OBCs, such as the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). These parties played key roles in state-level politics and, at times, in coalition governments at the center.

Important Note: The rise of caste-based politics in the 1990s marked a shift in Indian politics, with regional and caste-based parties playing an increasingly important role in national governance.

Conclusion: The Shifting Political Paradigm

The political developments of the 1990s laid the foundation for the political landscape of the 21st century. The decline of Congress, the rise of BJP, the emergence of coalition politics, and the increasing influence of caste-based and regional parties were all products of the political shifts during this decade.

MCQ:
What was one of the primary factors that led to the rise of BJP in

the 1990s?

1. Economic Liberalization
2. Mandal Commission
3. Ayodhya Ramjanambhoomi Movement (Answer: 3)