NCERT Solutions Class 12 Political Science Chapter 9 Recent Developments in Indian Politics

Question. Unscramble a bunch of disarranged press clipping file of Unni-Munni… and arrange the file chronologically.
(a) Mandal Recommendations and Anti Reservation Stir.
(b) Formation of Janata Dal.
(c) The demolition of Babri Masjid.
(d) Assassination of India Gandhi.
(e) The formation of NDA government.
(f) Godhra incident and its fallout.
(g) Formation of UPA government. 
Answer: (a) Assassination of India Gandhi(1984).
(b) Formation of Janata Dal (1989)
(c) Mandal Recommendations and Anti Reservation Stir (1990)
(d) The demolition of Babri Masjid (1992)
(e) The formation of NDA government (1997)
(g) Formation of UPA government (2004)

Question. Match the following:
(a) Politics of consensus                                (i) Shah Bano case
(b) caste based parties                                  (ii) Rise of OBC's
(c) Personal Law and Gender Justice           (iii) coalition goverment
(d) Growing strength of Regional parties      (iv) Agreement on Economic policies
Answer: (a)-(iv), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii).

Question. State the main issues in Indian politics in the period after 1989. What different configurations of political parties these differences lead to?
Answer: In the decade of eighties, the country witnessed five main developments which had a long lasting impact on politics:
1. End of Congress system.
2. Mandal issues
3. New Economic Reforms
4. Babri Masjid Issues
5. Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi 1989 elections led to defeat of Congress and emerged the era of ‘Multi Party- System’ when no single party secured majority in Lok Sabha elections since 1989. It led the era of coalition government also when regional parties played an crucial role in forming a ruling alliance.
Since 1989, there have been nine governments at the centre either coalition government or minority government supported by other parties. In this phase, government could be formed only with the participation of many regional parties.
The nineties also saw the emergence of powerful parties to represent Dalits and backward classes and regional assertions as well.

Question. “In the new era of coalition politics, political parties are not aligning or realigning on the basis of ideology.” What arguments would you put forward to support or oppose this statement?
Answer: The political parties have started making practical decisions rather than sticking to the strong ideological basis.
1. The focus of the politics have changes from ideological parameters to the power sharing agreement.
2. This can be seen during the ruling of the National Democratic Alliance. In this government BJP was the dominant power. Many parties did not agreed with the Hindutva ideology of BJP instead they came together to form the government.

Question. Trace the emergence of BJP as a significant force in post-Emergency politics.
Answer: Emergence of BJP as a Powerful Force in Post- Emergency Politics:
• BJP did not get much success in the elections held in 1980 and 1984.
• After 1986, the party began to emphasise the Hindu nationalist element in its ideology and adopted the strategy of mobilising the Hindus.
• In the elections of 1989, the National front under V.P. Singh came to power supported by left front and BJP because they wanted to keep the Congress out of power.
• In 1996, BJP emerged as the largest part and minority government was formed for a short period but in June 1996, BJP government collapsed as they fail to get majority support in the vote of confidence.
• From March 1998 to October 1999, BJP and others formed alliances NDA (National Democratic Alliance) under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• In 2003, Lok Sabha elections, BJP lost the elections but again in 2014, it came into power with huge majority.

Question. In spite of the decline of Congress dominance the Congress party continues to influence politics in the country. Do you agree? Give reasons.
Answer: The Congress Party is the oldest party in India and has been successful in influencing the politics in the country.
1. They have successfully ruled for 10 years from 2004 to 2014 under the United Progressive Alliance. Since then they have been in opposition.
2. The Congress has a strong base in the country and has been still a major political force in several states.
3. The ideologies of the Congress has still have support for the wide sections of the society.

Question. Many people think that a two-party system is required for successful democracy.
Drawing from India’s experience of last twenty years, write an essay on what advantages the present party system in India has.
Answer: Party system is the backbone of the democracy as it provide meaningful option to the people. The parties with different ideologies tried to convince people to support them in the elections. Many people think that a two-party system is required for successful democracy as one can form the government and another one can play the role of opposition. Opposition also play very important role in the functioning of democracy draw the attention of the government to the real issues. During the first two decades, there was only one party, Indian National Congress was present. After 1989, collision government was the main feature of Indian political system. The multiparty system was prevalent which represented the diversity of India.

Question. Read the passage and answer the questions below:

Party politics in India has confronted numerous challenges. Not only has the Congress system destroyed itself, but the fragmentation of the Congress coalition has triggered a new emphasis on self-representation which raises questions about the party system and its capacity to accommodate diverse interest,…. An important test facing the polity is to evolve a party system or political parties that can effectively articulate and aggregate a variety of interests.
—Zoya Hasan

Question. Write a short note on what the author calls challenges of the party system in the light of what you have read in this chapter.
Answer: The author calls challenges to coalition government as well as coalition in Congress party itself to trigger a new emphasis on self-representation.

Question. Given an example from this chapter of the lack of accommodation and aggregation mentioned in this passage.
Answer: To unsolved a party system to accommodate diverse interests but the political parties formed under the leadership of Kanshi Ram for Dalits only.

Question. Why is it necessary for parties to accommodate and aggregate variety of interests?
Answer: It is necessary for parties to accommodate and aggregate variety of interests to maintain the culture of India ‘Unity in Diversity’ so that there should be no space for separatist movements in India.

MORE QUESTIONS SOLVED

Very Short Answer Type Questions 

Question. Name two alliances/fronts that formed the government at the centre in 1989 and 1996 respectively.
Answer: National front-1989,United front-1996.

Question. Mention any two incidents of violence against minority community which are a threat to democracy.
Answer: 1. Violent anti-Mandal protest
2. Godhra incident

Question. What is the difference between a coalition party and coalition in Congress system?
Answer: Coalition party government refers government of more than two regional and political parties whereas coalition in Congress system refers to encouragement of various factions inside the party with different ideologies.

Question. Which organisation took up the cause of Bahujans?
Answer: The Backward and Minority Classes Employees Federation (BAMCEF) took various steps and strong position in favour of political power to Bahujans including SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities.

Question. What was the status of BSP?
Answer: The Bahujan Samaj Party emerged under the leadership of Kanshi Ram supported by Dalit voters in Punjab, Haryana and U.P. But in 1989 and 1991 elections, it achieved a breakthrough success in U.P.

Question. When did the phase of coalition politics begin?
Answer: With elections of 1989, coalition politics began in India i.e. National front in 1989,United Front in 1996 and 1997 and UPA in 2004.

Question. When were new economic reforms announced?
Answer: In 1991.

Very Short Answer Type Questions 

Question. A Who was the chairperson of Mandal Commission? State any one recommendation made by him/her.
Answer: Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal was the chairperson of Mandal Commission set up in 1978 to investigate the extent of educational and social backwardness among various sections of society and recommend ways to identify these classes.
The Mandal Commission gave its recommendations in 1980:
1. The commission advised that backward classes should be understood to mean backward castes since many castes other than the SCs were also treated as low in caste hierarchy
2. Reservation 27% seats in educational institutions and government jobs for these groups.
3. It recommended land reforms to improve the condition of OBCs.
4. Hence, Mandal commission made recommendations in economic and occupational structures.

Question. State any two major political happenings of 1984 in India.
Answer: 1. Assassination of Indira Gandhi
2. Lok Sabha elections were held.

Question. What was change in electoral performance of Congress party and BJP from 1984¬2004?
Answer: 1. In the elections of 1989, Congress secured 197 seats but did not get majority.
Therefore, it decided to sit in opposition.
2. The National Front under V.P. Singh came to power supported by left front and BJP from outside.
3. The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991 led to emergence of Congress as the single largest party and formed the government supported by AIADMK.
4. In 1996, BJP minority government was formed for short period. Later in June 1996 United Front with the support of Congress formed the Government and H.D. Deve Gowda became Prime Minister and after 11 months I.K. Gujral came to power to rule till March 1998.
5. From March 1998 to October 1999, BJP and other parties formed alliances NDA (National Democratic Alliance) under the leadership of Atal Behari Vajpayee and regional parties demanded more share in government to extend its support.
6. In the elections of May 2004, Congress and its allies formed UPA (United Progressive Alliance) and came to power and Manmohan Singh became Prime Minister.

Question. When was India’s New Economic Policy launched? Who was its chief architect?
Answer: It was launched in 1991 as the structure adjustment programme and it was started by the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao:
1. India’s New Economic Policy was launched by the then Finance Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
2. The economic changes first became visible in 1991 and radically changed the direction that Indian Economy had pursued since independence towards liberalised and open economy.

Question. What happened to the state government after demolition of Babri Masjid?
Answer: 1. The BJP state government was dismissed.
2. Along with that, other states where the BJP was in power, were also put under President’s rule.
3. A case against Chief Minister of U.P. was registered in Supreme Court.

Question. What led to the serious debate over secularism?
Answer: The demolition of disputed mosque at Ayodhya on December 6,1992, by Karseva, led to a serious debate over secularism:
1. Most political parties condemned the demolition and declared it to be against secularism.
2. A debate took place about using religious sentiments for electoral purposes.

Question. List the four groups to be emerged in 1990s.
Answer: 1. Parties in coalition with Congress— UPA (United Progressive Alliance).
2. Parties in alliance with BJP—NDA (National Democratic Alliance).
3. Left front parties (Left Parties).
4. Other parties not to be part of the rest (Others).

Short Answer Type Questions 

Question. Describe any four major developments in the Indian politics since 1989.
Answer: In the midst of severe competition and many conflicts, a consensus appears to have emerged among most parties. This consensus consists of four elements:
(i) Agreement on new economic policies: While many groups are opposed to the new economic policies, most political parties are in support of the new economic policies. Most parties believe that these policies would lead the country to prosperity and a status of economic power in the world.
(ii) Acceptance of political and social claims of the backward castes:
Political parties have recognised the social and political claims of the backward castes need to be accepted. As a result, all political parties now support reservation of seats for the ‘backward classes’ in education and employment. Political parties are also willing to ensure that the OBCs get adequate share of power.
(iii) Acceptance of the role of state level parties in governance of the country: The distinction between state level and national level parties is fast becoming less important.
State level parties are showing power at the national level and have played a central role in the country’s politics of last twenty years or so.
(iv) Emphasis on pragmatic considerations rather than ideological positions and political alliances without ideological agreement:
Coalition politics has shifted the focus of political parties from ideo logical differences to power sharing arrangements. Thus, most parties of the NDA did not agree with the Hindutva’ ideology of the BJP. Yet, they came together to form a government and remained in power for a full term.

Question.When and why did a long phase of coalition politics begin in India?
Answer: The era of coalitions could be seen after 1989 elections onwards. The Congress was the largest party but did not achieve a single majority, hence it decided to act as opposition party. This led to National Front (Alliance of Janata Dal and other regional parties). It received major support from BJP and left front. BJP and left front did not join the government but gave support from outside. The coalition era had many PMs and some of them held office for short duration.

Question. “Coalition government helps in consensus building”. Do you agree with the statement?
Give arguments in support of your answer.
Answer: In the midst of severe competition and conflicts, a consensus appears to have emerged among most parties consisting of following four elements:
1. Most political parties were in support of new economic policies to lead the country to prosperity and a status of economic power in the world.
2. All political parties supported , reservation of seats for backward classes in education and employment and even to ensure the OBCs to get adequate share of power.
3. Role of state level parties was accepted in the governance of country.
4. Coalition politics has shifted the focus of political parties from ideological differences to power sharing arrangements. Hence most of the NDA did not agree the Hindutva ideology of BJP, still they came together to form a government and remained in power for full term.

Question. Write a note on Hindu-Muslim Riots in Gujarat.
Answer: 1. The Anti-Muslim Riots took place at a station called Godhara in 2002.
2. A fire took place on a bogey full of leorsevakos returning from Ayodhya.
3. The hand of Muslims was suspected behind this fire.
4. Widespread violence took place against Muslims in which nearly 1100, mostly Muslims were killed.
5. Human Right commission criticised Gujarat government’s role in failing to control violence and provided relief to victims.
6. Gujarat riots show that the government machinery also becomes susceptible to passion and alert us the danger involved in using religious sentiments for political purposes.

Passage Based Questions 

1. Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions:

Thus, with the elections of 1989, a long phase of coalition politics began in India. Since then, there have been nine governments at the Centre, all of which have either been coalition governments or minority governments supported by other parties, which did not join the government. In this new phase, any government could be formed only with the
participation or support of many regional parties. This applied to the National Front in 1989, the United Front in 1996 and 1997, the NDA in 1997, BJP-led coalition in 1998, NDA in 1999 and the UPA in 2004.

Questions

Question. What is meant by coalition politics?
Answer: Coalition politics does not have majority even to a single party but parties may enter into an alliance or get support of other parties to form government.

Question. Name any two regional political parties which were a part of coalition government.
Answer: NDA and United front.

Question. Write the full form of NDA.
Answer: National Democratic Alliance.

Question. What does a minority government mean?
Answer: Minority governments are supported by other parties which did not join the government.
 

2. Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions:

Infect the BSP, under Kanshi Ram’s leadership was envisaged as an organisation based on pragmatic politics. It derived confidence from the fact that the Bahujans (SC, ST, OBC and religious minorities) constituted the majority of the population, and were a formidable political force on the strength of their numbers.

Questions

Question. Which organisation was formed by Kanshi Ram?
Answer: BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party)

Question. Name any two religious minorities.
Answer: Muslims and Christians

Question. Why are Bahujans considered a formidable political forces?
Answer: Because Bahujans constituted the majority of population, hence they were formidable political force on strength of their numbers

Long Answer Type Questions 

Question. In 2014 elections, people have voted for a stable government at the Centre. Do you think that the era of coalition has ended? Support your answer with suitable arguments.
Answer: After Independence, Congress party came in power. It ruled over the country as a democratic government till 1977. One after the other the government was represented by the Congress Prime Ministers like Nehru, Shastri and then Mrs. Indira Gandhi. It was due to some political upheaval; a state Emergency was declared in 1975. During Emergency all the opposition leaders were jailed and their constitutional powers were seized. It made all the opposition leaders unite and form first united party in the name of Janata Party which came in power in 1977. The general election held soon after the Emergency. Though it couldn’t last long, but it started a new concept of rule in India. One after the other, India saw many governments ruled by alliance group, except a few single-party-led government. But with the elections of 1989, a long phase of coalition politics began in India. Since then there have been nine governments at the centre all of which have either been coalition government or minority government supported by other parties which did not join the government. The National Front government in 1989, the United Front government in 1996 and 1997, the NDA government in 1997, 1998 and 1999 and then UPA government in 2004 and 2009 and again BJP-led NDA government in 2014 have been the coalition governments in India. In none of these governments any one single party had the number enough to form the government at its own. But in 2014, there was a change in the pattern. BJP could gain 284 seats in the Lok Sabha election which was sufficient to form the government at its own -which required to only 272. But as the election was fought with a pre-poll alliance by NDA led by BJP. So the present government was formed with Narendra Modi, the leader of BJP. This election shows that people are again turning to the single party government at the centre which may be stable. People have experienced the lack of stability, lack of policy decision and lack of proper development in the government ruled by the coalition group.

Question. In the midst of severe competition and many conflicts in 1989, a consensus appeared to have emerged among most parties. Explain any three points.(or)
Examine growing consensus over the crucial issues.
Answer: In the midst of severe competition and conflicts, a consensus appears to have emerged among most parties consisting of following four elements:
1. Most political parties were in support of new economic policies to lead the country to prosperity and a status of economic power in the world.
2. All political parties supported reservation of seats for backward classes in education and employment and even to ensure the OBCS to get adequate share of power.
3. Role of state level parties was accepted in the governance of country.
4. Coalition politics has shifted the focus of political parties from ideological differences to power sharing arrangements. Hence most of the NDA did not agree with the Hindutva ideology of BJP, still they come together to form a government and remained in power for full term.

Question. What was Mandal Commission? Did it try to solve the problems of other Backward classes? State any two arguments in support of your answer?
Answer: Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal was the chairperson of Mandal commission set up in 1978 to investigate the extent of educational and social backwardness among various sections of society and recommended way to identify these classes.
The Mandal commission gave its recommendations in 1980:
1. The commission advised that backward classes should be understood to mean backward castes since many castes other than the SCs were also treated as low in caste hierarchy.
2. Reservation 27% seats in educational institutions and government jobs for these groups.
3. It recommended land reforms to improve the condition of OBCs.
4. Hence, Mandal commission made recommendations in economic and occupational structures.
The government of India accepted recommendations in 1990:
1. 27% jobs reservation has been made in central and state government.
2. Many Welfare Schemes have also been launched as Swarnima National Backward classes Finance and Development Corporation.

Picture/Map Based Questions

Question. Study the picture given below and answer the questions that follow:

Questions
1. What does the cartoon represent?
2. Describe the role of such government in Indian Democratic set up.
3. What does this statement “Support the government from outside” mean?
Answer:
1. A puppet government showing example of coalition government.
2. It plays negative and positive role both. In a negative way, it provides unstable form of government.
In a positive way, it provides opportuni¬ties to regional parties also in forming ruling alliances.
3. No direct participation and position in government but support in the formation of government.

Question. Study the picture given below and answer the questions that follow:

Questions
1. What does the picture indicate?
2. Which party is being referred to as one party dominance?
3. Identify female character in the cartoon.
Answer:
1. It depicts change from one party dominance to a multi-party alliance system.
2. Congress.
3. Mrs. Indira Gandhi.