The Multi Party System

One Party System

Only one party exists typical of
dictatorships if there is a legislature (not
found in democracies)
easy elections, laws get passed quickly
No choice for the people
Soviet Union, Cuba, North Korea

Two Party System

Two major political parties along with
minor parties; major parties always win the
national elections
stability, basic choice
minor parties typically loose
USA, UK, South Africa, Canada

Multi Party System

Many small minor parties and no major parties;
in many countries coalitions must be formed in
order to have any political power
wide variety of class, religious, sectional, and
political interests
unstable; coalitions do not typically last very long
Italy, Spain, Japan, Portugal, India

After Indira lost elections

Moradji Bhai Desai became PM in 1977
opposition political parties such as
the Congress (O),Bharatiya Jana
Sangh, Bharatiya Lok Dal as well as
defectors from the Congress (R) joined to
form the Janata party which won the
election

First multi-party PM
Personal ambitions of leaders
JP Narayan and Acharya Kriplani decided
Moradji Desai to be PM over Charan
Singh and Jagjivan Ram

Action against Indira

Justice Shah Commission against
atrocities under Emergency
Indira afraid, wanted to leave politics
Pupul Jain, friend of Indira, sent to make
peace with Moradji
Thrown from house in 1 Safdarjung road

Her struggle
Went to Belchi, Bihar to act against attack
on Dalits
3rd October CBI sent to arrest Indira by
Charan Singh
Indira out of Jail with public support
Indira broke from Congress, formed
Congress I
Feb 1978, Congress I won by-elections

Barriers in first multi party

government of India
Charan Singh alleges corruption charges
on Moradjis son.
Moradji declined Charan Singhs request
of special court against Indira
Charan Singh and Raj Narain thrown out
of Janata Party

Congress Politics
Sanjay Gandhi meets Raj Narain, asks to
leave Janata party
Sanjay asked Kamal Nath to bribe Charan
Singhs astrologer so that he leaves
Janata Party
Sanjay fostered Jarnail Singh
Bhindranwale to counter Akali Dal in
Punjab

Tumultuous times
Shah Commission report out, Indira sent
to Tihar Jail for a week
Krishna Commission claimed Indira stole 4
eggs and 2 chicken, ordered non-bailable
warrant

Indira is back
Sanjay gandhi promises PM post for
Charan Singh if he pulls Janata govt.
down
Janata govt. down
Charan Singh becomes PM for 23 days as
Indira pulls support
Indira announces elections.

The development of the Indian

party system
Single party dominance (1947-1967).
Congress Party dominated nationally and to a large
extent at state level.

Congress-opposition system (1967-1993).

Congress remained the most prominent party at
national level but faced serious competition at the
state level.

Multi-party system (1993 onwards).

Congress no longer the pivotal force. Growth of
regional parties and coalitional politics.

Single party system (1947-67)

Congress dominates national elections
In office continuously
Regularly polls over 40% of the vote and
secures over 70% of the seats

No cohesive opposition
Other parties function as pressure parties

Congress-opposition phase (19671993)

Congress faced challenge at state level
Two periods out of office at national level:
1977-1979 (to the Janata coalition)
1989-1991 (to the National Front coalition)

Opposition parties stronger, periods of

unity

Factors contributing to second

phase
Increasing economic discontent
Increasing politicisation of marginal social
groups
Challenges to traditional leadership in
Congress

Institutional decline of Congress

through the 1970s and 80s
Decline of independent state politicians
Increasing centralisation
Party support constructed from the top-down,
not bottom-up as before

Rise of dynasty and personality cult

Personality more important than institution
Succession of Indira Gandhi by her son Rajiv
Gandhi

Dynasty and the Congress Party

Multi-party politics, 1993 onwards

Congress no longer represents the focal
point of electoral competition
Rise of regional parties
Rise of new national parties, especially the
BJP
No overall majority in parliament since
1989- 2014
Emergence of Coalitions

Results of 14th National General

Election, 2004: seats in Lok Sabha
Congress-dominated United Progressive
Alliance

218

BJP-dominated National Democratic

Alliance

186

(Indian National Congress

(Bharatiya Janata Party

Left Front

(Communist Party Marxist (CPM)

Others including

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)

Samajwadi Party (SP)

145)

138)

62

43)
19
36

Chronology of key developments

1964 Death of Nehru
1966 Indira Gandhi becomes Congress leader
1967 Fourth General and state assembly
elections. Congress loses control in 8 out of
16 states
1969 Split in Congress
1971 Fifth General Election. Congress landslide
victory
1975 National Emergency declared
1977 Sixth General Election. Congress defeated
by Janata

Chronology of key developments

1978 Congress splits again
1979 Fall of Janata government
1980 Seventh General Election. Congress (I) (Mrs
Gandhis wing) wins.
1984 Mrs Gandhi assassinated. Rajiv Gandhi is new
Congress leader.
Eighth General Election. Congress wins best ever
electoral victory.
1989 Ninth General Election. National Front government
formed
1991 Collapse of second National Front government.
Tenth General Election.
Rajiv assassinated half way through. New Congress
leader Narasimha Rao.

Thank You