RBSE Solutions Class 12 Political Science Chapter 27 Politics of Alliance

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 27 Text book Questions

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 27 Multiple Choice Questions

 

Question 1. In the first three general elections, which party got majority?
(a) B J.P.
(b) Indian National Congress
(c) Indian Communist Party
(d) Samajvadi Party
Answer: (b) Indian National Congress
In simple words: In the first three elections, the Indian National Congress was the party that won most of the votes and seats.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember key historical facts like the dominant party in early Indian elections. This is important for understanding political trends.

 

Question 2. After which general election did alliance politics start?
(a) 1967

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the timeline of political changes, especially when major shifts like the start of alliance politics occurred.

 

Question 3. Janata Party was formed in :
(a) 1980
(b) 1990
(c) 2000
(d) 1977
Answer: (d) 1977
In simple words: The Janata Party was formed in the year 1977.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing the formation years of major political parties helps in understanding India's political history.

 

Question 4. The government of Dr. Manmohan Singh alliance was named :
(a) The left
(b) NDA
(c) UPA
(d) National alliance
Answer: (c) UPA
In simple words: The group of parties that formed Dr. Manmohan Singh's government was called the UPA.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be familiar with the names of different political alliances in India, like UPA and NDA, and the leaders associated with them.

 

Question 5. From the political parties view, the party system in India is :
(a) Two party
(b) Non party
(c) Multi party
(d) One party
Answer: (c) Multi party
In simple words: India has many political parties, so its system is known as a multi-party system.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the different types of party systems (one-party, two-party, multi-party) and identify which one applies to India.

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 27 Very Short Answer Type Questions

 

Question 1. Who has been the Prime Minister of UPA alliance.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always confirm if an answer is genuinely missing in the source. If it is, move to the next question, but avoid commenting on the omission.

 

Question 3. Which is the chief political party of UPA alliance?
Answer: The chief political party of the UPA alliance is the Congress Party.
In simple words: The main party in the UPA alliance is the Congress Party.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the leading party in major political alliances to understand their core structure.

 

Question 4. At present, which alliance is in power?
Answer: At present, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is in power.
In simple words: The NDA is the group of parties currently running the government.

🎯 Exam Tip: Stay updated on current political affairs, including which alliances are in power.

 

Question 5. In 16th Lok Sabha election which party got clear majority?
Answer: In the 16th Lok Sabha election, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) got a clear majority.
In simple words: The BJP won enough seats in the 16th Lok Sabha election to form the government alone.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing which party or alliance secured a majority in recent general elections is essential for political science.

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 27 Short Answer Type Questions

 

Question 1. Which alliances are there at present in Indian political system? What are the main parties in them?
Answer: There are three main alliances or groups of parties in the Indian political system right now:

• National Democratic Alliance (NDA): This alliance includes the BJP and 13 other parties. Some of the important members are Akali Dal, Shiv Sena, Lokjan Shakti Party, Telegu Desam, ILSP, and P.M.K.
• United Progressive Alliance (UPA): The Congress party is the main party in this alliance. Other political parties like Rastriya Congress Dal, Rashtriya Janta Dal, J.M.M., and Kerala Congress are also part of it.
• Left political parties: This third alliance consists of left-wing parties. Their influence used to be strong in regions like West Bengal and Kerala, but their rule in West Bengal has ended.

In simple words: India has three main political groups: NDA (led by BJP), UPA (led by Congress), and a group of Left parties. Each has different member parties.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing political alliances, always list the main parties involved and mention their key areas of influence or ideology.

 

Question 2. The alliance politics is dangerous to the stability of government How?
Answer: Alliance politics can make a government less stable for a few reasons:
1. When governments are formed by alliances, it often leads to a trend called 'Aya Ram Gaya Ram', where politicians frequently switch parties. This makes the government very unstable.
2. In India, alliances are often based on leaders and not on strong political ideas or rules. Because there isn't a firm foundation, the government's stability is always at risk.
3. To gain political power, parties with very different beliefs sometimes join together. After elections, these different parties might not agree on how to work, causing internal fights within the alliance. Alliances are usually formed to get power or stop someone else from getting it, not because of shared ideas. This is a big threat to a government's stability.
In simple words: Alliance governments are risky because politicians can switch sides easily, alliances are often based on leaders (not shared ideas), and parties with different beliefs can cause internal conflicts, all of which make the government unstable.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining challenges of alliance politics, focus on core issues like instability, lack of ideological common ground, and the 'Aya Ram Gaya Ram' phenomenon.

 

Question 3. Was the government of Janata Party a government of alliance?
Answer: Yes, the Janata Party government formed in 1977 was indeed an alliance government. It was made up of five different parties that came together under the leadership of Morarji Desai. This government acted like an alliance, which meant it had to balance the interests of all its member parties. However, after a short time, the Janata Party broke apart because of disagreements over "dual membership," and the government eventually fell.
In simple words: Yes, the Janata Party government in 1977 was an alliance of five parties led by Morarji Desai, but it later broke up due to internal disagreements.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use specific historical examples, like the Janata Party government, to illustrate concepts like alliance politics and its challenges.

 

Question 4. Write any two advantages of alliance politics.
Answer: Here are two advantages of alliance politics:

• The government does not become too powerful: In an alliance government, the Prime Minister does not have as much power over the cabinet as they would in a single-party government. The cabinet must work based on a shared minimum program, and decisions cannot be made by just one party's ideas. All parties in the alliance must agree on policies and principles.

In simple words: One good thing about alliance politics is that no single leader or party becomes too powerful, as everyone has to agree on decisions.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing advantages, choose distinct points and briefly explain each one to show complete understanding.

 

Question 5. Describe three characteristics of Indian alliance politics.
Answer: Here are three main features of Indian alliance politics:

• One party usually remains the most important: In most alliances formed in India, one party is usually stronger or bigger than the others. The influence of the other smaller parties depends on how many Members of Parliament (MPs) they have. If a smaller partner leaves the ruling alliance, it often doesn't affect the government much.
• Defection Trend: Because of coalition governments, there's a trend called 'Aaya Ram Gaya Ram' (defection) in Indian politics. This means politicians frequently switch parties, which can make governments unstable.
• Politics of Pressure: Parties within an alliance often try to pressure the Prime Minister to act in their own political interests. For example, Mamata Banerjee, leader of the Trinamool Congress, once pressured the UPA government to change the railway minister and withdraw a fare increase.

In simple words: Indian alliances often have one main party, see politicians frequently changing sides, and involve smaller parties pressuring the main party for their own benefits.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing characteristics, use clear and concise points, and support them with brief examples if possible.

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 27 Long Answer Type Questions

 

Question 1. Describe the negative effects of alliance politics on Indian politics.
Answer: Alliance politics can have several negative effects on Indian politics:

• Weak Government: Coalition governments are often weak and struggle to make tough decisions, whether about international issues or domestic problems.
• Government cannot work on a clear policy: Alliances include political parties with different beliefs and goals. Every party wants its own agenda to be part of government policies. Because of this, the government finds it hard to make clear decisions, which affects how it works.
• Lack of stability in government: Alliance governments are often not very stable. Parties in the alliance use their power to get their own interests fulfilled, sometimes even at the cost of government stability. This can also lead to a weakening of national unity.
• Lack of strong foreign policy: In a coalition government, the country's foreign policy can become weak. The Prime Minister feels pressure from the allied parties and has to consult them for international agreements. This can weaken the country's standing on global platforms.
• Limited role of P.M.: In an alliance government, the Prime Minister does not have full control over members of their own party or other parties. Ministers often follow their own party's directions. This weak position can make the Prime Minister indecisive.

Other negative effects also include:
1. There is a lack of coordination between different ministries and government departments.
2. Coalitions encourage the formation of many small political parties, which can make it harder to have a stable government.
3. The Prime Minister does not have effective control over the members of their own party or other parties in the alliance.
In simple words: Alliance governments can be weak, struggle to make clear policies, and often lack stability. They can also lead to a weak foreign policy, limit the Prime Minister's power, and cause coordination problems between ministries.

🎯 Exam Tip: When detailing negative effects, use clear headings or bullet points for each distinct point. Provide a brief explanation for how each point creates a negative outcome.

 

Question 2. Analyse the positive effect of coalition government
Answer: Coalition governments can also have positive effects:

• Public Support: In a coalition, different parties come together to form a government. This means the Council of Ministers represents opinions from many parties, not just one. When more parties are involved, it can lead to decisions that have wider public support, making the government more accepted and effective in public interest.
• Avoiding Extremist View Point: Coalition politics can help prevent extreme ideas from dominating, as any member party can block policies they disagree with. No single party can force its policies and principles on the government because other parties in the coalition can oppose them.
• The Prime Minister does not dominate the coalition council: Unlike a single-party government, the Prime Minister in a coalition cannot act as powerfully. The Council of Ministers must work based on a minimum common program and cannot make decisions arbitrarily. The Prime Minister has to consider the policies and principles of all parties in the coalition.
• Contribution of qualified people from the country: In a single-party government, all ministerial roles are held by people from the same party. But in a coalition, eligible people from all the alliance parties can be included in the Council of Ministers. This allows the country to benefit from the skills and contributions of senior and qualified individuals from a broader range of political backgrounds, leading to a more diverse and capable council.

In simple words: Coalition governments can gain wider public support, prevent extreme decisions, ensure the Prime Minister doesn't become too powerful, and bring talented people from many parties into the government.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on how coalition governments foster inclusivity, broad representation, and checks and balances when discussing positive effects.

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 27 Other important Questions

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 27 Multiple Choice Questions

 

Question 1. India's Representative House is:
(a) Lok Sabha
(b) Rajya Sabha
(c) Assembly
(d) None of these
Answer: (a) Lok Sabha
In simple words: The Lok Sabha is the house where representatives chosen by the people sit.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate between the different houses of the Indian Parliament and their roles, especially the directly elected 'Representative House'.

 

Question 2. Indian Coalition's main characteristic of politics is:
(a) Primacy of one party
(b) Ideology of equality
(c) Defection trend
(d) All the above
Answer: (a) Primacy of one party
In simple words: A key feature of Indian coalition politics is that often one big party has more power than the others in the alliance.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the defining features of coalition politics in India, particularly the uneven distribution of power among alliance partners.

 

Question 3.
(c) Formation of temporary Governments
(d) Creating Strong Opposition
Answer: (c) Formation of temporary Governments
In simple words: One outcome of certain political situations is the creation of governments that are not meant to last long.

🎯 Exam Tip: When faced with incomplete options, focus on the answer given and infer the intended correct option to ensure coherence.

 

Question 4. The coalition politics is disadvantageous because of:
(a) Weak governance
(b) Damage to national unity
(c) Weak foreign policy
(d) All of the options
Answer: (d) All of the options
In simple words: Coalition politics can be bad because it can lead to weak leadership, hurt national unity, and make foreign policy weak.

🎯 Exam Tip: When an "All of the options" answer is correct, ensure you understand how each individual option contributes to the overall disadvantage.

 

Question 5. How many main streams of political parties are there in India?
(a) 4
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) 5
Answer: (c) 3
In simple words: India has three main types of political party groups.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall the general number of major political fronts or alliances in India, as discussed in previous sections.

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 27 Very Short Answer Type Questions

 

Question 1. What is the mixed government?
Answer: A mixed government is one where at least two political parties are included to form the ruling body.
In simple words: A mixed government is when two or more parties join together to rule.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define key political terms clearly and concisely. For 'mixed government', highlight the multi-party aspect.

 

Question 2. After the fall of Moraji Desai's government, who made the government by external support of Congress?
Answer: After Morarji Desai's government fell, Chaudhary Charan Singh formed a government with outside support from the Congress party.
In simple words: Chaudhary Charan Singh became the Prime Minister after Morarji Desai, with help from Congress.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember significant political figures and the circumstances under which they formed governments, especially during periods of political flux.

 

Question 4. Which incident is called the black chapter of Indian democracy?
Answer: The fall of the NDA government in April 1999 by just one vote is often called a black chapter of Indian democracy.
In simple words: When the NDA government lost power in 1999 by only one vote, it was considered a very sad event for Indian democracy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Historical events that are labeled with strong descriptive terms often carry significant political importance and should be remembered.

 

Question 5. Why is falling by just one note of N.D.A. government in April 1999 called black chapter of Indian democracy?
Answer: The fall of the NDA government in April 1999 by just one vote is called a black chapter because the opposition managed to bring down the government without having a clear alternative. They could not form a government themselves due to a lack of agreement among them.
In simple words: The NDA government's fall by one vote in 1999 was a bad time because the opposition caused it to fall but couldn't form a new government due to disagreements.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining why an event is significant, focus on the immediate consequences and the underlying reasons for the outcome.

 

Question 6. Who formed the government after 13th Lok Sabha election?
Answer: After the 13th Lok Sabha election, a coalition government was formed under the leadership of the BJP leader, Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
In simple words: Atal Bihari Vajpayee led a coalition government after the 13th Lok Sabha election.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the key leaders and the type of government formed (e.g., coalition) after significant general elections.

 

Question 7. Who was the P.M. of N.D.A.?
Answer: The Prime Minister of the NDA government was Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
In simple words: Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister for the NDA.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect major political alliances with their corresponding Prime Ministers during their tenure.

 

Question 8. Who was the leader of Congress party in the election of 14th Lok Sabha?
Answer: Man Mohan Singh was the leader of the Congress party in the election of the 14th Lok Sabha.
In simple words: Manmohan Singh was the Congress party leader during the 14th Lok Sabha election.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognize important leaders associated with specific elections and political parties.

 

Question 9. The representatives of which parties are included in Modi's Cabinet?
Answer: The representatives included in Modi's Cabinet come from parties such as Shiv Sena, Telegu Desam, Akali Dal, and Lokjan Shakti Party, among others.
In simple words: Modi's Cabinet includes members from parties like Shiv Sena, Telegu Desam, Akali Dal, and Lokjan Shakti Party.

🎯 Exam Tip: Listing specific alliance partners helps demonstrate a detailed understanding of contemporary political structures.

 

Question 10. How many seats did BJP get in 14th Lok Sabha election?

🎯 Exam Tip: Always note when specific numerical data, like election results, is asked for. If not provided in the source, it's best to move on without fabricating it.

 

Question 11. Write two characteristics of Indian Coalition politics?
Answer: Two characteristics of Indian Coalition politics are:
1. Lack of stability
2. Defection tendency
In simple words: Indian coalition politics often lacks stability and sees politicians changing parties often.

🎯 Exam Tip: For short answer questions, provide direct and concise points as characteristics.

 

Question 12. At present in Indian politics which alliances are important?
Answer: At present, the important alliances in Indian politics are:
1. NDA (National Democratic Alliance)
2. UPA (United Progressive Alliance)
In simple words: The two main political alliances in India today are the NDA and the UPA.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the prominent political alliances currently active in the Indian political landscape.

 

Question 13. Name the political alliance formed against Congress in 1977, on a prohibitive basis?
Answer: The political alliance formed against Congress in 1977, on a prohibitive basis, was the Janata Party.
In simple words: In 1977, the Janata Party was formed to oppose the Congress party.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember key political formations and the circumstances or goals behind their creation.

 

Question 14. What do you mean by defection?
Answer: Defection happens when a public representative wins an election using a particular party's symbol, but then leaves that party for personal reasons or other interests to join another party. This act of switching parties is called defection.
In simple words: Defection means when an elected leader leaves the party they won with and joins a different party, often for personal gain.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide a clear and concise definition for political terms like 'defection', including the core action and the underlying motivation.

 

Question 15. What has become a permanent element of Indian politics?
Answer: Alliance Politics has become a permanent element of Indian politics.
In simple words: Forming alliances has become a lasting part of how politics works in India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify fundamental shifts or lasting trends in a country's political system, such as the permanence of alliance politics.

 

Question 16. Write two advantages of alliance politics.
Answer: Two advantages of alliance politics are:
1. Formation of temporary government
2. Loss of national unity.
In simple words: Alliance politics can lead to governments that don't last long and can also weaken the feeling of national togetherness.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for advantages or disadvantages, ensure your points are distinct and directly address the question.

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 27 Short Answer Type Questions

 

Question 1. What do you understand by politics of alliance?
Answer: Alliance politics happens when no single political party gets a clear majority in Lok Sabha or State legislature elections, even though a majority is needed to form a government. To address this, several parties come together to form an alliance and agree on a shared program. Even if their individual principles differ, they work together based on these agreed-upon programs. Alliances can form before or after elections, and they involve mutual agreement among parties on government formation and other important matters. They then run the government according to a shared plan. This entire process is known as politics of alliance.
In simple words: Alliance politics is when many parties join together, especially if no single party wins enough votes alone, to form a government and rule based on shared agreements.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining a political concept, include its cause (no clear majority), its process (parties joining, shared programs), and its outcome (government formation).

 

Question 2. Clarify the symptoms of mixed government Or Describe the chief qualities of alliance government
Answer: Here are the main qualities of an alliance government:
1. In such governments, two or more political parties are included.
2. The parties involved in the coalition agree to work together to achieve specific goals, which can be tangible achievements or shared psychological objectives.
3. An alliance is generally a temporary arrangement, meaning it is not always designed to last permanently.
In simple words: Alliance governments have two or more parties, work together for specific goals, and are often temporary arrangements.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for symptoms or qualities, provide clear, numbered points that summarize the key characteristics of the political system.

 

Question 3. Describe NDA's position after the election of 16th Lok Sabha.
Answer: After the 16th Lok Sabha elections in 2014, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a majority. This alliance included the BJP and 13 other political parties, such as Akali Dal, Shiv Sena, Lokjan Shakti Party, and Telegu Desam. The number of seats won by these parties were: BJP-282, Shiv Sena-18, Telegu Desam-16, NPF-01, Lokjan Shakti Party-06, SWP-01, Akali Dal-04, NINRC-01, ILSP-03, NPP-01, AD-02, and PMK-01. In total, this alliance won 336 seats in the Lok Sabha, allowing it to form the government.
In simple words: In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA, led by BJP and including 13 other parties, won 336 seats, which was a clear majority.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing election outcomes for an alliance, always mention the leading party, key partners, and the total number of seats or percentage of votes if available.

 

Question 4. Describe UPA's position after Lok Sabha election.
Answer: In the 16th Lok Sabha election held in 2014, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) faced defeat. In this alliance, the Congress party was the main party, along with other allied parties. In the current Lok Sabha, this alliance secured a total of 59 seats. The breakdown of seats was: Congress-44, JMM-02, Rashtriya Congress-06, IUML-02, Rasthriya Janata Dal-04, and Kerala Congress (M)-01.
In simple words: The UPA lost the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, with the Congress party and its allies winning 59 seats in total.

🎯 Exam Tip: Contrast the performance of different alliances in the same election to provide a comprehensive picture of the political landscape.

 

Question 5. In Indian politics, alliances are based on leaders instead of parties and principles. Clarify the statement
Answer: This statement can be understood through the following examples, which show how alliances are often driven by individuals rather than shared party ideologies or principles:
1. The Samta Party, which admired Jai Prakash Narayan and his ideals, formed an alliance with the BJP instead of the Rashtriya Janata Dal. However, after just a few days, the Samta Party broke its alliance with the BJP, showing a shift based on leadership or immediate gain rather than principles.
2. In 1997, after supporting H.D. Devegowda, the Congress party put a condition to change the Prime Minister. Then, after 10 months in April 1997, Inder Kumar Gujral was elected as Prime Minister, with Congress giving its support again. This highlights how individual leaders and conditions influenced alliance decisions.
3. In Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav's party was included in an alliance with the Samta Party, which had supported the Rashtriya Janata Dal. Also, in UP's elections, support was given to Mulayam Singh's Samajwadi Party. These parties were often opposed to each other, indicating that alliances were formed for practical reasons around leaders, not shared ideologies.
In simple words: Alliances in India often form around powerful leaders and short-term political gains, even if the parties involved have different beliefs or have opposed each other in the past.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use concrete historical examples to illustrate abstract political concepts. Ensure each example clearly supports the main point of the question.

 

Question 7. Describe the cause of forming alliance government in India.
Answer: Alliance governments are formed in India mainly because the country is very diverse. India is home to people of different classes, religions, cultures, and castes. Due to their varied interests, many political parties have been formed. To gain power, between 20 to 40 political parties often join alliances. When no single party gets a clear majority in the Lok Sabha or state elections, it becomes impossible to form a government. Since parliamentary rule requires a majority, forming alliances has become a common practice to achieve that majority. Thus, alliance governments are formed. For example, in the 16th Lok Sabha, even though BJP got a majority, it still formed an alliance government.
In simple words: Alliance governments are formed in India because of the country's diversity, many political parties, and the need to achieve a majority to form a government when no single party can do it alone.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining the causes of a political phenomenon, start with the root factors (like diversity) and build up to the direct reasons (like the need for majority).

 

Question 8. Coalition government is based on broad public support. Explain the statement.
Answer: A coalition government is indeed based on broad public support because it typically includes 15 to 20 parties. Each of these parties has its own base of public support. When these parties come together in an alliance, they gather public support based on their combined numbers. This increases the government's acceptance among the people and enables it to make good decisions that serve the public interest. Furthermore, coalition governments gain importance internationally. For instance, the current NDA government in India, led by Narendra Modi, is known for making good decisions and earning respect on the global stage.
In simple words: Coalition governments have wide public support because they include many parties, each with its own supporters. This makes the government more accepted, helps it make good decisions, and earns it respect globally.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining how broad public support is achieved, highlight the role of multiple parties and their collective voter base.

 

Question 9. How is national unity harmed in alliance government? Explain.
Answer: In an alliance government, the Prime Minister is often under pressure from the alliance partners. This means decisions might be made that benefit specific local parties or regional interests, rather than focusing on the broader national interest. When the interests of individual parties or regions are prioritized due to pressure politics, it can lead to a dilution of national unity. For example, in the UPA government, the Trinamool Congress leader, Mamata Banerjee, often opposed the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, to serve local party interests, which could disadvantage national interests.
In simple words: National unity can be harmed in alliance governments because leaders face pressure from alliance partners to prioritize local or party interests over the overall national interest.

🎯 Exam Tip: Link the concept of "pressure politics" in alliances directly to the potential harm to national unity by explaining how local interests can overshadow national ones.

 

Question 10. In event of a coalition government, there is a lack of powerful foreign policy. Clarify this statement
Answer: In a coalition government, there is often a lack of a strong foreign policy. The Prime Minister finds it hard to create a powerful foreign policy because they are under pressure from their alliance partners and cannot make decisions freely. This weakens the country's position when dealing with foreign policy matters. The Prime Minister often has to consult allies for international agreements, which can make the government appear weak to other countries. In contrast, a single-party Prime Minister can make free and strong decisions, which boosts the country's reputation abroad. Therefore, from a foreign policy perspective, coalition governments often show differences and cannot form a firm and powerful foreign policy.
In simple words: Coalition governments often have a weak foreign policy because the Prime Minister faces pressure from allies and cannot make independent decisions, which can reduce the country's standing internationally.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize how internal alliance dynamics, particularly pressure from partners, can directly impact a country's ability to project a strong and unified foreign policy.

 

Question 11. Why is lack of rhythm found in different ministries of coalition government?
Answer: A lack of harmony is often seen in coalition governments because such governments consist of leaders from different parties, each with their own unique ideologies and programs. These leaders are often more focused on their own party's agendas. When they become ministers in various departments, they may not prioritize implementing programs that benefit the entire government but instead focus on their party's specific programs. Ministers from different parties often lack the mutual cooperation found in a single-party government. Each political party secretly works on its own agenda and aims to further its own interests. This lack of cooperation between ministries creates difficulties in governing smoothly. For the government to function effectively, mutual cooperation is essential.
In simple words: Coalition governments often lack harmony in ministries because leaders from different parties have their own beliefs and agendas, leading to poor cooperation and focus on individual party interests instead of shared government goals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain that the diversity of ideologies and party-centric focus among coalition partners are the primary reasons for lack of coordination and rhythm in government ministries.

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 27 Long Answer Type Questions

 

Question 1. What is Coalition politics? How did the coalition politics come into being?

🎯 Exam Tip: Define coalition politics clearly and then trace its historical origins or development, highlighting key events or periods that contributed to its emergence.

 

Question 2. Describe the history of coalition government in India.
Answer: The history of coalition governments in India is as follows:
1. In the 1977 Lok Sabha election, the Congress party lost for the first time and did not get a majority of seats. Under the leadership of Morarji Desai, an alliance of five parties secured a majority and formed the government in Lok Sabha.
3. In 1980, under the leadership of Indira Gandhi, the Congress party formed the government. After Indira Gandhi's assassination, Rajiv Gandhi became the Prime Minister. The Congress party had a full majority during the period from 1980 to 1989.
4. In 1989, Congress faced a significant defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP achieved more success than expected and showed a desire to be an alternative to Congress. After leaving Congress, V.P. Singh formed the Janata Dal and contested the 1989 Lok Sabha election. He did not win a full majority, but the BJP supported him from outside, leading to the formation of the Sanyukta Morcha government. When BJP withdrew its support, this government fell in October 1990.
5. The party led by V.P. Singh split, and a new party, Janata Dal(S), was formed. Chandra Shekhar, the leader of this party, formed a government with outside support. However, due to disagreements, he had to resign after a few months on March 6, 1991, with Congress's support.
6. From 1991 to 1996, the 10th Lok Sabha saw a short-term government under Narsimha Rao, which continued with external support.
7. After the 11th Lok Sabha election, due to a hung Lok Sabha in April-May 1996, a period of mixed governments began. In the 1996 election, BJP emerged as the largest single party and was invited to form the government. However, most MPs were against BJP's policies. So, BJP could not get a majority in Lok Sabha. An alliance government was formed with BJP, Shiv Sena, Akali Dal, and Haryana Vikas Party. Due to the inability to prove majority, P.M. Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee had to resign within 13 days.
8. After the fall of Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, H.D. Devegowda's government was formed. But after a few months, Congress set a condition to change the Prime Minister. So, within 10 months, Devegowda's government fell, and Inder Kumar Gujral became the Prime Minister. Devegowda's government included 13 political parties, and Gujral's government had 15 political parties. These parties lacked ideological similarity on different political issues, causing the central government to work under pressure.
9. In the 12th Lok Sabha election, no single party achieved a full majority. Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee of BJP, being the leader of the largest party, was invited to become the Prime Minister. A government was formed by including 18 parties. The NDA government started under an influential PM, but it fell by just one vote.
10. After the 13th Lok Sabha election, the NDA government was formed under the leadership of Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This was also an alliance government in which more than 20 parties were included. This government completed its full term.
11. After the 14th Lok Sabha election, a government of 20 parties was formed under the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh, with external support from the Left. After the 15th Lok Sabha election, governments kept forming with the support of multiple parties, as no single party gained a clear majority.
In simple words: The history of Indian coalition governments started because no single party could get enough votes to rule alone. After 1977, many governments were formed by different parties joining hands, often leading to short-lived governments due to disagreements, until the NDA and UPA alliances became prominent.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing historical events, focus on key milestones, significant leaders, and the main reasons for changes in government for a complete answer.

 

Question 3. Write down the chief characteristics of alliance government of India.
Answer: The main characteristics of alliance governments in India are:
• Primacy of a single party: In any alliance in Indian politics, one party usually remains the most powerful. For example, the NDA is led by BJP, and the UPA is led by Congress. Other smaller allied parties often do not have a very strong role.
• Lack of ideological equality: Parties with different ideas often join alliances just for political benefits. During elections, parties that used to criticize each other might form an alliance. For instance, in Bihar, the Samta Party, which followed J.P. Narayan's ideas, allied with Congress, even though their ideologies were different. This shows that alliances are often made to gain power or prevent others from getting power, not because of shared beliefs.
• Lack of stability: Alliance governments often lack stability. Many times, political parties join alliances for small benefits. For example, in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress left the NDA. Also, the Samta Party was once part of NDA but later joined an alliance with Congress during an election in Bihar.
• Political alliances based on leaders: In Indian politics, alliances are often formed around certain leaders rather than shared ideologies. For instance, the Samta Party, despite its socialist beliefs, allied with the BJP instead of the Rashtriya Janata Dal.
• Lack of clear ideology in alliance: Indian politics mainly has two big alliances: NDA, led by BJP, and UPA, led by Congress. It is hard to find common ideologies between the parties in these alliances. The Third Front, which generally consists of left-wing parties, sees both BJP and Congress as capitalist, but it sometimes gives outside support to UPA, which was led by Manmohan Singh.
• Politics of pressure: Political parties in an alliance often put pressure on the Prime Minister to get their way on political matters. For example, in the UPA government, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee pressured Manmohan Singh to change the railway minister and withdraw increased train fares. This kind of pressure politics can sometimes make national interests less important.
• Defection trend: Alliance governments sometimes see a trend of 'defection' in Indian politics. This means elected representatives change parties, which can make governments unstable and put their stability at risk.
In simple words: Indian alliance governments often have one main party, include parties with different ideas just for power, and are not always stable. They are usually formed around leaders, not shared beliefs, and smaller parties often pressure the Prime Minister for their own goals, sometimes leading to political instability.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing characteristics, use clear bullet points or a numbered list to make your answer easy to read and understand. Provide a short example for each characteristic if possible.