The Nature of Indian Party System - One Party Dominance to the Era of Coalition Governments

This article examines the evolution of India’s party system from one-party dominance to a fragmented multi-party structure characterized by coalition politics. It highlights the central role of political parties in democratic mobilization, governance, and policy-making, while tracing key turning points such as the decline of the Indian National Congress dominance after 1967, the impact of the Emergency in India, and the rise of opposition unity in 1977 and 1989. The study underscores the growing importance of regional parties and the emergence of coalition governments as a response to fractured electoral mandates.The article concludes that coalition politics, despite inherent tensions and periodic instability, has become an enduring feature of Indian democracy. It signifies a transition in the parliamentary system, reshaping institutional practices, federal dynamics, and electoral politics, with coalition governments emerging as a viable and lasting alternative to single-party rule.