Question

The nineties also saw the emergence of powerful parties and movements that represented the Dalit and backward castes (Other Backward Classes or OBCs). Many of these parties represented powerful regional assertion as well. These parties played an important role in the United Front government that came to power in 1996. The United Front was similar to the National Front of 1989 for it included Janata Dal and several regional parties. This time the BJP did not support the government. The United Front government was supported by the Congress. This shows how unstable the political equations were. In 1989, both the Left and the BJP supported the National Front Government because they wanted to keep the Congress out of power.

In 1996, the Left continued to support the non-Congress government but this time the Congress, supported it, as both the Congress and the Left wanted to keep the BJP out of power. They did not succeed for long, as the BJP continued to consolidate its position in the elections of 1991 and 1996. It emerged as the largest party in the 1996 election and was invited to form the government. But most other parties were opposed to its policies and therefore, the BJP government could not secure a majority in the Lok Sabha. It finally came to power by leading a coalition government from May 1998 to June 1999 and was re-elected in October 1999. Atal Behari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister during both these NDA governments and his government formed in 1999 completed its full term.

Since then, there have been eleven 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 BJP-led coalition in 1998, the NDA in 1999, the UPA in 2004 and 2009. However, this trend changed in 2014.

What is correct about the United Front that came to power in 1996?

• A. It was not similar to the National Front of 1989
• B. It was supported by the BJP.
• C. The left and the Congress supported each other to keep the BJP out of power
• D. The United Front did not include the regional parties.

Hint:

Three options contradict the passage. Look for the shared goal of Left and Congress.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question.
We must pick the one true statement about the United Front of 1996. Every option can be tested against the passage.

Step 2: Collect the facts.
The passage says the United Front was similar to the National Front of 1989, included Janata Dal and several regional parties, and was not supported by the BJP. It was backed by the Congress, and the Left also supported it, because both wanted to keep the BJP out.

Step 3: Check option 1.
The passage says it was similar to the National Front. So option 1 is wrong.

Step 4: Check option 2.
The passage says "This time the BJP did not support the government." So option 2 is wrong.

Step 5: Check option 3.
In 1996 the Left continued its support and the Congress also supported the government, as both wanted to keep the BJP out of power. This is the closest match to the statement. So option 3 is correct.

Step 6: Check option 4.
The United Front included Janata Dal and several regional parties. So option 4 is wrong.

Final Answer:
The correct statement is that the Left and the Congress both backed the government to keep the BJP out. This is option 3.
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