Multi-Party Era

The period between 1996 and 1998 marked a significant shift in Indian politics, often referred to as the multi-party era. This phase was characterized by the decline of single-party dominance and the emergence of coalition politics. The 1996 general elections resulted in a fragmented mandate, with no single party achieving a clear majority, leading to a series of coalition governments.

1.United Front Coalition: The United Front, a coalition of several regional and national parties, formed the government with H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister. This coalition was supported from the outside by the Indian National Congress. Deve Gowda's government lasted from June 1996 to April 1997.

2.Leadership Changes: In April 1997, H.D. Deve Gowda was replaced by I.K. Gujral as the Prime Minister due to internal coalition dynamics and political manoeuvring. Gujral's tenure was also short-lived, lasting until March 1998. These frequent changes in leadership were indicative of the inherent instability within coalition governments.

New Aspirations

These years saw the rise of new political aspirations and agendas:

1.Regional Parties: Regional parties gained prominence, reflecting the growing importance of regional issues and identities in national politics. For example, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by N. Chandrababu Naidu and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led by M. Karunanidhi became crucial players. The Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh also grew in influence.

2.Economic Reforms: The momentum of economic reforms initiated by the previous Narsimha Rao government continued, albeit at a slower pace. GDP growth during this period averaged around 5-6%, with efforts to further liberalize, privatize, and globalize the economy. The government continued to dismantle the License Raj, reduce tariffs, and encourage foreign investment.