Chapter-8 Recent Developments in Indian Politics (1990s Onwards)

This chapter examines the major political transformations in India since the 1990s, marked by the decline of Congress dominance, rise of coalition politics, Mandal Commission implementation, economic reforms, and the Ayodhya issue.

1. Context of the 1990s

Key Developments:

End of Congress System (1989): Congress reduced from 415 seats (1984) to 197 seats, marking the end of its dominance
Mandal Issue (1990): Implementation of Mandal Commission recommendations for OBC reservations in government jobs
Economic Reforms (1991): Initiation of structural adjustment programs and liberalization under PM Narsimha Rao and FM Manmohan Singh
Ayodhya Movement: Ram Janmabhoomi movement transformed secularism discourse, culminating in Supreme Court verdict (2019)
Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi (1991): Led to leadership change in Congress with Narsimha Rao becoming PM

Key Developments after 1989 in Indian political arena

Important Questions:

What were the five major developments that shaped Indian politics in the late 1980s and early 1990s?
How did the 1989 elections mark a turning point in Indian politics?

2. Era of Coalitions

Major Features:

No single party secured clear majority in Lok Sabha from 1989-2014
Emergence of multi-party system with crucial role of regional parties
Frequent changes in political alliances and power equations

Major Coalition Governments:

1989-1990: National Front (V.P. Singh) supported by Left Front and BJP

1990-1991: Samajwadi Janata Party (Chandra Shekhar) supported by Congress

1991-1996: Congress minority government (Narasimha Rao)

1996-1997: United Front (Deve Gowda then I.K. Gujral) with Congress support

1998-2004: NDA (Atal Bihari Vajpayee)

2004-2014: UPA (Manmohan Singh)

2014 onwards: NDA (Narendra Modi) - BJP got majority on its own

Important Questions:

What factors led to the era of coalition governments in India?
How did the role of regional parties change in national politics during this period?
"In the new era of coalition politics, political parties align based on power rather than ideology." Discuss.

3. Political Rise of Other Backward Classes (OBCs)

Mandal Commission (1978-1980):

Officially: Second Backward Classes Commission
Chaired by B.P. Mandal
Recommended 27% reservation for OBCs in government jobs and educational institutions
Implemented by V.P. Singh government in 1990
Led to violent anti-Mandal protests but upheld by Supreme Court in Indira Sawhney case (1992)

Political Consequences:

Increased political awareness among OBC communities
Emergence of parties representing OBC interests (Samajwadi Party, RJD, JD(U) etc.)
Shift in power equations with OBCs demanding share in political power

Dalit Politics:

Formation of BAMCEF (1978) → DS-4 → Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) under Kanshi Ram
BSP's success in UP elections marked new phase in Dalit politics
Concept of "Bahujan" (SC, ST, OBC and minorities as political majority)

Important Questions:

What were the main recommendations of the Mandal Commission?
How did the implementation of Mandal Commission report change Indian politics?
Trace the evolution of Dalit politics from BAMCEF to BSP.

4. Communalism, Secularism and Democracy

Key Issues:

Shah Bano Case (1985): Supreme Court verdict on Muslim divorcee's maintenance rights led to political controversy
Muslim Women Act 1986: Passed to nullify Supreme Court judgement, criticized as "appeasement"
Rise of BJP: From 2 seats (1984) to leading coalition governments (1998 onwards)
Hindutva Politics: Concept popularized by V.D. Savarkar as cultural nationalism

Ayodhya Issue Timeline:

1528: Construction of three-dome structure at disputed site

1949: Structure sealed after court proceedings begin

1986: Faizabad court orders unlocking of structure

1992: Demolition of Babri Masjid

2019: Supreme Court verdict (5-0) allocating land for Ram Temple and alternative site for mosque

Important Questions:

How did the Shah Bano case influence Indian politics?
Trace the emergence of BJP as a significant force in post-Emergency politics.
How was the Ayodhya issue resolved through democratic processes?

5. Emergence of New Consensus

Four Elements of Consensus:

Agreement on new economic policies: Liberalization and reforms accepted by most parties
Acceptance of OBC claims: Reservation for backward classes now supported by all major parties
Role of state parties: Increased importance in national governance
Pragmatic alliances: Power-sharing over ideological purity

Key Consensus in Indian political arena

Electoral Trends:

Year	Major Coalition/Party	Key Features
2004	UPA (Congress-led)	Supported by Left Front, partial Congress revival
2009	UPA (Congress-led)	Congress increased seats from 145 to 206
2014	NDA (BJP-led)	BJP got 282 seats - first single-party majority since 1984
2019	NDA (BJP-led)	BJP increased to 303 seats

Important Questions:

What are the four elements of the new consensus in Indian politics?
How has the party system changed from 2004 to 2019?
Despite Congress decline, how does it continue to influence Indian politics?

6. Conclusion

Transition from Congress dominance to competitive multi-party system
Coalition politics as defining feature of 1990s-2014 period
Social justice issues (caste, religion) becoming central to political discourse
Emergence of new consensus despite political competition
Continued importance of democratic processes in resolving conflicts

Key Takeaways:

The 1990s marked a watershed in Indian politics with five major developments
Mandal and Kamandal (OBC reservations and Hindutva) became defining issues
Regional parties gained national importance during coalition era
Economic reforms continued regardless of which party was in power
Indian democracy showed resilience in handling contentious issues