The defeat of the Congress party marked the end of Congress's dominance over the Indian party system. Way back in the late sixties, the dominance of the Congress party was challenged; but the Congress under the leadership of Indira Gandhi managed to re-establish its predominant position in politics. The nineties saw yet another challenge to the predominant position of Congress. It did not, however, mean the emergence of any other single party to fill in its place.

Who was the first Prime Minister unaffiliated with the Indian National Congress to complete a full five-year term in office?

A.B. Vajpayee

A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vajpayee was the tenth Prime Minister. He headed the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the Indian Parliament and became the first Prime Minister unaffiliated with the Indian National Congress to complete a full five-year term in office.