When did the rise of parties representing OBC interests first gain political expression at the national level?
1) 1950s
2) 1977
3) 1990s
4) 2000s

Choose the correct answer from the given options:

2

A significant and enduring development during the 1990s was the emergence of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) as a potent political force. The term 'OBC' pertains to the administrative classification of "Other Backward Classes," encompassing communities beyond the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), which grapple with educational and societal disadvantages. These communities are often referred to as "backward castes." The Congress party witnessed a wane in its support within numerous segments of the backward castes, thereby creating an opening for non-Congress political entities to garner greater backing from these groups.

It's important to recall that the ascension of these parties into the political arena first manifested nationally through the Janata Party government in 1977. Several constituents of the Janata Party, such as the Bharatiya Kranti Dal and the Samyukta Socialist Party, had a robust foothold in rural areas, particularly within specific segments of the OBC community.