CBSE Class 12 Political Science NCERT Solutions: Recent Developments in Indian Politics

Solution: The correct chronological order of the given press clippings is as follows:

1. Assassination of Indira Gandhi (1984)
2. Formation of Janata Dal (1989)
3. Mandal Recommendations and Anti Reservation Stir (1990)
4. The demolition of Babri Masjid (1992)
5. The formation of NDA government (1997)
6. Godhra incident and its fallout (2002)
7. Formation of UPA government (2004)

This sequence highlights the major political events that shaped India's trajectory in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The assassination of Indira Gandhi marked a significant moment, followed by the political realignments leading to the formation of the Janata Dal. The Mandal Commission's recommendations and the subsequent anti-reservation stir, along with the demolition of the Babri Masjid, were pivotal socio-political events. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the formation of major political alliances like the NDA and UPA, with the Godhra incident being a precursor to significant communal tensions and political fallout.

Solution: The correct matching of the items is as follows:

• (i) Shah Bano case corresponds to (c) Personal Law and Gender Justice. This case highlighted the complexities of personal laws and gender equality in India.
• (ii) Rise of OBCs parties corresponds to (b) Caste based parties. The increasing political mobilization of Other Backward Classes led to the emergence of parties representing their interests.
• (iii) Coalition government corresponds to (d) Growing strength of Regional parties. The rise of coalition governments is closely linked to the increased influence and participation of regional parties in national politics.
• (iv) Agreement on Economic policies corresponds to (a) Politics of Consensus. While the era saw shifts, agreements on certain economic policies, especially post-liberalization, represented a form of political consensus among ruling coalitions.

Solution: The period after 1989 in Indian politics was marked by several significant issues and led to distinct configurations of political parties:

Main Issues:

1. End of Congress System: The 1989 elections signified a decline in the hegemonic dominance of the Congress party, leading to a more fragmented political landscape.
2. Mandal Issues: The implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations for reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) sparked widespread debate and anti-reservation protests, deeply influencing electoral politics and party alignments.
3. New Economic Reforms: The introduction of liberalization and economic reforms in the early 1990s created new political dynamics and debates about the direction of India's economy.
4. Babri Masjid Issue: The controversy surrounding the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya became a major focal point, intensifying religious polarization and impacting the electoral fortunes of parties, particularly the BJP.
5. Rise of Regional Assertions: Various regional parties gained prominence, advocating for regional interests and playing a crucial role in national politics.

Configurations of Political Parties:

These issues collectively led to the era of **coalition governments**. Since 1989, no single national party has consistently secured a majority in the Lok Sabha. This necessitated the formation of alliances and coalitions, where regional parties played a pivotal role in forming and sustaining governments at the centre. The political competition became largely divided between coalitions led by major national parties (like the Congress and the BJP) and other emerging alliances. This period also saw the rise of parties representing specific social groups, such as Dalits and backward classes, further diversifying the party system.

Solution: The statement that political parties are not aligning or realigning on the basis of ideology in the new era of coalition politics can be supported by several arguments:

1. Pragmatism over Ideology: Coalition politics often prioritizes gaining and retaining power over strict adherence to ideological principles. Parties may join alliances with those holding differing views to achieve political objectives, such as forming a government or preventing rivals from coming to power.
2. Power Sharing Arrangements: The formation of coalitions is largely driven by pragmatic considerations of power sharing, resource distribution, and cabinet berths, rather than a shared ideological vision.
3. Examples of Alliances: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is often cited as an example where parties with diverse ideologies, including those not fully aligned with the BJP's 'Hindutva' ideology, came together to form a government and remained in power for a full term. Similarly, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) included parties with varied political leanings.
4. Issue-Based Alignments: Alliances are frequently formed around specific political circumstances or common opponents, rather than a deep-seated ideological agreement. This can lead to fluid and shifting alignments.

While ideological differences may be downplayed, it's also important to note that underlying ideological currents still influence party behavior and voter choices to some extent. However, the dominant trend in coalition formation has been one of pragmatic adjustments and strategic alliances.

Solution: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as a significant force in Indian politics through a series of strategic moves and electoral performances, particularly after the Emergency period and especially from 1989 onwards:

1. Post-Emergency Reorganization: Following the decline of the Janata Party government, the precursor to the BJP, the Jana Sangh, merged into it. The BJP was formally established in 1980, aiming to consolidate the Hindu nationalist vote bank.
2. Electoral Performance (1989 onwards): In the 1989 elections, the National Front government, led by V.P. Singh, came to power with external support from both the Left Front and the BJP. The BJP's support was crucial in keeping the Congress out of power. However, the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations led the BJP to withdraw its support, causing the National Front government to fall in November 1990.
3. Rise in the 1990s: The BJP's electoral fortunes saw a significant upswing in the 1990s, partly fueled by issues like the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and its strong opposition to the Mandal Commission's implementation.
4. Short-lived Government (1996): In 1996, the BJP formed a minority government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but it could not prove its majority in the Lok Sabha and collapsed within a short period.
5. Formation of NDA (1998-1999): From March 1998, the BJP, under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, led the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This coalition included numerous regional parties, which demanded significant concessions and a greater share in governance in return for their support.
6. Dominant Political Competition: Throughout the 1990s, political competition was largely characterized by the rivalry between the coalition led by the BJP (NDA) and the coalition led by the Congress. The BJP successfully positioned itself as a major national alternative to the Congress.

Through these developments, the BJP transformed from a relatively marginal party to one of the two major poles of Indian politics by the end of the 20th century.

Solution: Yes, I agree that in spite of the decline of its dominance, the Congress party has continued to influence Indian politics significantly. Here are the reasons:

1. Electoral Resurgence: The defeat of the Congress in 1989 marked the end of its era of near-monopoly, but the party demonstrated resilience. It improved its performance in the 1991 general elections, even coming back to power after mid-term polls, indicating its continued relevance.
2. Role in Coalition Governments: The Congress played a crucial role in the political landscape of the 1990s and beyond, even when not leading the government. It provided support to non-Congress governments, such as the United Front government, demonstrating its ability to influence political outcomes and stability.
3. National Presence and Ideological Influence: Despite reduced numbers, the Congress maintained a presence across most states and continued to shape national political discourse. Its centrist ideology and secular platform remained influential, providing a counter-narrative to other political forces.
4. Key Opposition Role: As a major national party, the Congress often served as the principal opposition, holding the ruling coalitions accountable and providing a platform for dissent. This role is critical in a parliamentary democracy.
5. Continued Electoral Contests: The party continued to be a major contender in most general elections, often emerging as the second-largest party or leading significant opposition blocs, thereby influencing the formation and dynamics of governments.

Therefore, while the nature of its influence changed from dominance to a more competitive role, the Congress party remained a key player shaping the course of Indian politics.