Which one of the following statements is correct about political developments in Indian politics from 2004 onwards?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → 2014 proved watershed moment as the NDA government rapidly took decisions in social sector, foreign and economic policies.
Option (1) The UPA government could not complete its term in the 14th Lok Sabha because Left parties withdrew their support in 2008. — False. The UPA government completed its term despite the Left parties withdrawing support in July 2008 over the Indo-US nuclear deal.
Option (2) 2014 proved watershed moment as the NDA government rapidly took decisions in social sector, foreign and economic policies. — True. 2014 was a proverbial watershed moment of Indian politics, and the Narendra Modi led NDA government rapidly took decisions in these areas.
Option (3) In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP got full majority and the recognition of coalition politics remained irrelevant. — False. Even with a full majority of its own, the recognition of coalition politics is still relevant.
Option (4) In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, there was a huge difference between the votes polled by the Congress and its allies and the BJP and its allies. — False. The difference was negligible, not huge.
NCERT (2025-26): “Lok Sabha Elections (2004-2019) … In the elections of 2004, the Congress party too entered into coalitions in a big way. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was defeated and a new coalition government led by the Congress, known as the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came to power. This government received support from the Left Front parties. The elections of 2004 also witnessed the partial revival of Congress party. It could increase its seats once again after 1991. However, in the 2004 elections, there was a negligible difference between the votes polled by the Congress and its allies and the BJP and its allies. The Congress led UPA government completed its term despite Left parties withdrawing the support in July 2008 on the issue of Indo-US nuclear deal. Elections for 15th Lok Sabha were held in 2009. Results witnessed a rise in the number of seats (from 145 in 2004 to 206 in 2009) of the Indian National Congress (INC) and Congress led UPA Government. Dr. Manmohan Singh was sworn as Prime Minister for the second term, heading the coalition government of UPA again. Bhartiya Janata Party declared Narendra Modi (then the Chief Minister of Gujrat) as its Prime Ministerial candidate in September 2013. BJP under the leadership of Narendra Modi got a clear majority in 16th Lok Sabha elections held in 2014. BJP won 282 seats on its own, becoming the first party to gain single party majority after 30 years. Despite single-party majority of its own, BJP did choose to form the NDA government with its coalition partners. Year 2014 was a proverbial watershed moment of Indian politics. Narendra Modi led NDA government rapidly took decisions in social sector, foreign policy and economic policy. The BJP again emerged victorious with 303 seats of its own in 2019 Lok Sabha election. Even when BJP is getting full majority, the recognition of coalition politics is still relevant. Thus, the party system has now changed almost dramatically from what it was till the seventies.” |