Question

Explain any two changes brought about in Indian politics by the coalition governments formed after 1989.

Hint:

After 1989 no single party won a majority, so regional parties became important and parties focused on consensus and power sharing.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understand the question:
After 1989 the Congress lost its hold. No single party got a clear majority in the Lok Sabha for many years, so coalition governments became common.
We explain any two changes this brought to politics, with two marks each.

Step 2: Change 1: Greater role for regional parties:
Regional parties became partners in forming governments at the Centre. National governments now needed their support.
This made the system more federal, since state issues and regional demands got more weight in national decisions.

Step 3: Change 2: Rise of alliance politics and consensus:
Parties had to join pre-poll or post-poll alliances to take power. Ideology mattered less than a workable agreement.
Coalitions needed a common programme, so major parties came close on policies such as economic reforms and social justice. This shows politics of power sharing and consensus replaced one-party dominance.

Final Answer:
Coalition governments after 1989 gave regional parties a bigger role and made alliance and consensus politics normal.