On which of the following issues, there has been a growing consensus…

The correct answer is Option (1) → Acceptance of the political and social claims of the backward castes

Option (1) Acceptance of the political and social claims of the backward castes — Correct. This is the second element of the growing consensus: all political parties now support reservation for the ‘backward classes’ in education and employment.

Option (2) Ideological rigidness. — Incorrect. The consensus moved the other way: its fourth element is emphasis on pragmatic considerations rather than ideological positions. Coalition politics shifted the focus of parties from ideological differences to power-sharing arrangements.

Option (3) Sidelining the importance of state governments in governance of the country. — Incorrect. The third element is the acceptance of the role of State level parties in governance of the country; they share power at the national level, so the States have gained importance, not lost it.

Option (4) Simultaneous elections — Incorrect. The consensus has four elements: new economic policies, the claims of the backward castes, the role of State level parties and pragmatism over ideology. Simultaneous elections are not one of them.