Political Science

Recent Developments in Indian Politics

Question:

Describe any four major developments in the Indian politics since 1989.

Answer:

In the midst of severe competition and many conflicts, a consensus appears to have emerged among most parties. This consensus consists of four elements:
(i) Agreement on new economic policies: While many groups are opposed to the new economic policies, most political parties are in support of the new economic policies. Most parties believe that these policies would lead the country to prosperity and a status of economic power in the world.
(ii) Acceptance of political and social claims of the backward castes:
Political parties have recognised the social and political claims of the backward castes need to be accepted. As a result, all political parties now support reservation of seats for the ‘backward classes' in education and employment. Political parties are also willing to ensure that the OBCs get adequate share of power.
(iii) Acceptance of the role of state level parties in governance of the country: The distinction between state level and national level parties is fast becoming less important. State level parties are showing power at the national level and have played a central role in the country's politics of last twenty years or so.
(iv) Emphasis on pragmatic consid-erations rather than ideological positions and political alliances without ideological agreement:
Coalition politics has shifted the focus of political parties from ideo-logical differences to power sharing arrangements. Thus, most parties of the NDA did not agree with the ‘Hindutva' ideology of the BJP. Yet, they came together to form a govern ¬ment and remained in power for a full term.

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Recent Developments in Indian Politics

Q 1.

Match the following:
ncert-solutions-class-12-political-science-recent-developments-indian-politics-1

Q 2.

Unscramble a bunch of disarranged press clipping file of Unni-Munni… and arrange the file chronologically.
(a) Mandal Recommendations and Anti Reservation Stir.
(b) Formation of Janata Dal.
(c) The demolition of Babri Masjid.
(d) Assassination of India Gandhi.
(e) The formation of NDA government.
(f) Godhra incident and its fallout.
(g) Formation of UPA government.

Q 3.

Mention any two incidents of violence against minority community which are a threat to democracy.

Q 4.

What was the status of BSP?

Q 5.

What led to the serious debate over secularism?

Q 6.

Read the passage given below carefully and answer thequestions:
Thus, with the elections of 1989, a long phase of coalition politics began in India. Since then, there have been nine 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 NDA in 1997, BJP-led coalition in 1998, NDA in 1999 and the UPA in 2004.
Questions
1. What is meant by coalition politics?
2. Name any two regional political parties which were a part of coalition government.
3. Write the full form of NDA.
4. What does a minority government mean?

Q 7.

Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions:
Infact the BSP, under Kanshi Ram's leadership was envisaged as an organisation based on pragmatic politics. It derived confidence from the fact that the Bahujans (SC, ST, OBC and religious minorities) constituted the majority of the population, and were a formidable political force on the strength of their numbers.
Questions
1. Which organisation was formed by Kanshi Ram?
2. Name any two religious minorities.
3. Why are Bahujans considered a formidable political forces?

Q 8.

Many people think that a two-party system is required for successful democracy. Drawing from India's experience of last twenty years, write an essay on what advantages the present party system in India has.

Q 9.

A Who was the chairperson of Mandal Commission? State any one recommen ¬dation made by him/her.

Q 10.

Name two alliances/fronts that formed the government at the centre in 1989 and 1996 respectively.

Q 11.

State any two major political happenings of 1984 in India.

Q 12.

Which organisation took up the cause of Bahujans?

Q 13.

List the four groups to be emerged in 1990s.

Q 14.

When were new economic reforms announced?

Q 15.

What is the difference between a coalition party and coalition in Congress system?

Q 16.

Describe any four major developments in the Indian politics since 1989.

Q 17.

In the midst of severe competition and many conflicts in 1989, a consensus appeared to have emerged among most parties. Explain any three points.(or)
Examine growing consensus over the crucial issues.

Q 18.

Write a note on Hindu-Muslim Riots in Gujarat.

Q 19.

In spite of the decline of Congress dominance the Congress party continues to influence politics in the country. Do you agree? Give reasons.

Q 20.

When did the phase of coalition politics begin?

Q 21.

Read the passage and answer the
questions below:
Party politics in India has confronted numerous challenges. Not only has the Congress system destroyed itself, but the fragmentation of the Congress coalition has triggered a new emphasis on self-representation which raises questions about the party system and its capacity to accommodate diverse interest,…. An important test facing the polity is to evolve a party system or political parties that can effectively articulate and aggregate a variety of interests.
—Zoya Hasan
(a) Write a short note on what the author calls challenges of the party system in the light of what you have read in this chapter.
(b) Given an example from this chapter of the lack of accommodation and aggregation mentioned in this passage.
(c) Why is it necessary for parties to accommodate and aggregate variety of interests?

Q 22.

What happened to the state government after demolition of Babri Masjid?

Q 23.

"In the new era of coalition politics, political parties are not aligning or realigning on the basis of ideology."What arguments would you put forward to support or oppose this statement?

Q 24.

State the main issues in Indian politics in the period after 1989. What different configurations of political parties these differences lead to?

Q 25.

When and why did a long phase of coalition politics begin in India?

Q 26.

What was Mandal Commission? Did it try to solve the problems of other Backward classes? State any two arguments in support of your answer?

Q 27.

"Coal ition government helps in consensus building". Do you agree with the statement? Give arguments in support of your answer.

Q 28.

What was change in electoral performance of Congress party and BJP from 1984 ¬2004?

Q 29.

Trace the emergence of BJP as a significant force in post-Emergency politics.

Q 30.

When was India's New Economic Policy launched? Who was its chief architect?

Q 31.

In 2014 elections, people have voted for a stable government at the Centre. Do you think that the era of coalition has ended? Support your answer with suitable arguments.

Q 32.

Study the picture given below and answer the questions that follow:
ncert-solutions-class-12-political-science-recent-developments-indian-politics-3
Questions
1. What does the picture indicate?
2. Which party is being referred to as one party dominance?
3. Identify female character in the cartoon.

Q 33.

Study the picture given below and answer the questions that follow:
ncert-solutions-class-12-political-science-recent-developments-indian-politics-02
Questions
1. What does the cartoon represent?
2. Describe the role of such government in Indian Democratic set up.
3. What does this statement "Support the government from outside"mean?