POLITY

People at the centre

Source: The Hindu

Context

• The analysis reflects on the outcomes of the 18th general election in India, emphasizing the people's central role in democracy, the shifting political landscape, and the implications for coalition politics and federalism.

History

• Coalition politics and federalism have been integral to India's democratic journey since independence.
• The formation of diverse political alliances, such as the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the NDA, has shaped governance at the national level, reflecting the country's rich cultural and regional diversity.
• Over the years, federal principles have evolved to accommodate the aspirations of various states and communities, emphasizing the importance of cooperative federalism in India's governance framework.

Details

Key Points Related to Coalition Politics and its impact on Federalism:

• Accommodation of Regional Aspirations:
  • Coalition governments often include regional parties, giving voice to their concerns in national decision-making. This fosters a sense of inclusivity and can address regional imbalances in federal structures.
• Cooperative Federalism:
  • The need for bargaining and compromise between coalition partners encourages a more cooperative approach between the Centre and states. This can lead to better coordination on national issues and joint initiatives for development.
• Policy Diffusion:
  • To maintain coalitions, parties might dilute their core agendas. This can lead to a mix of central and state-centric policies, impacting areas like social welfare schemes or economic reforms.
• Weakening of Centre's Supremacy:
  • Regional parties in coalitions can push back against centralized policies, potentially leading to a more balanced distribution of power between the Centre and states.
• Policy Instability:
  • Frequent changes in coalitions or bargaining for power-sharing can lead to policy inconsistencies and disruptions in long-term federal projects.
• Focus on Short-term Gains:
  • The need to appease coalition partners can lead to prioritizing short-term political gains over long-term federal goals like fiscal consolidation or infrastructure development.
• Horse-trading and Policy Capture:
  • Negotiations for coalition formation might involve bargaining for ministerial positions or resource allocation, potentially compromising federal principles of meritocracy and fair distribution.
• Evolving Dynamics:
  • The impact of coalition politics on federalism is constantly evolving. Analyze recent trends like pre-poll alliances and ideological coalitions to understand their influence.

History:

• Erosion of Congress Dominance:
  • Since the 1980s, the decline of the one-party dominance of the Congress party led to a rise in coalition governments. This weakened the Centre's ability to dictate policy to states, fostering a more federal approach. For example, Implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations for affirmative action by a coalition government in 1990.
• Rise of Regional Parties:
  • The emergence of strong regional parties like DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and Shiv Sena as coalition partners gave voice to regional aspirations and concerns within the federal framework. For instance, the National Front coalition government (1989-1990) addressed issues of federalism and decentralization.
• Cooperative Federalism Initiatives:
  • Coalition governments, needing cooperation between parties with diverse ideologies, sometimes fostered a more collaborative spirit between the Centre and states. Example: The introduction of Panchayati Raj reforms (decentralization of power to local bodies) by a coalition government in the 1990s.
• Policy Inconsistency:
  • Frequent changes in government due to coalition dynamics could lead to disruptions in long-term federal projects or changes in established policies. Example: The fluctuations in economic liberalization policies under different coalition governments in the 1990s.
• Resource Sharing Debates:
  • Bargaining within coalitions sometimes led to debates on resource allocation between the Centre and states, impacting issues of fiscal federalism. Example: The ongoing discussions on sharing of Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue between the Centre and states.

Sources:

The Hindu

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