Which elections marked the end of what political scientists have called the ‘Congress system'?

1989

The correct answer is Option 1 - 1989

The elections held in 1989 marked the end of what political scientists have called the ‘Congress system'.

The most crucial development of the late 1980s was the defeat of the Congress party in the elections held in 1989. The party that had won as many as 415 seats in the Lok Sabha in 1984 was reduced to only 197 in this election. The Congress improved its performance and came back to power soon after the mid-term elections held in 1991. But the elections of 1989 marked the end of what political scientists have called the ‘Congress system’. To be sure, the Congress remained an important party and ruled the country more than any other party even in this period since 1989. But it lost the kind of centrality it earlier enjoyed in the party system.