Recent Developments in Indian Politics

Lesson

Part 1 — the end of Congress dominance, the coalition era and Mandal.

In this lesson you will

Explain the developments that ended Congress dominance around 1989–91
Describe the governments and the features of the coalition era from 1989 to 2014
Explain the Mandal issue and the political rise of the Other Backward Classes

Part 1 at a glance

Concept

Five developments around 1989–92

Table of five developments around 1989 to 1992 and why each mattered: the 1989 hung verdict, the Mandal decision of 1990, the new economic policy of 1991, the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991, and the Ayodhya dispute leading to the demolition of December 1992
Development (around 1989–92)	Why it mattered
1989 election: no party wins a majority	Beginning of the coalition era
Mandal decision, August 1990	Backward-caste politics becomes central
New economic policy, 1991	Shift in economic direction
Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, May 1991	Change in Congress leadership
Ayodhya dispute, demolition in December 1992	Religion and secularism at the centre of debate

Concept

In 1989 the Congress remained the largest party but lost its majority.