1. Introduction to Coalition Politics in India

Role of the Constitution:

• The Indian Constitution has dual roles:
  • Limiting Majoritarian Power: It places constraints on the potential abuse of power by ensuring that decisions affecting minority rights are carefully regulated.
  • Facilitating Effective Governance: It establishes mechanisms for policy formulation and implementation through various institutions.
• Historical Examples of Majoritarian Abuse:
  • Jawaharlal Nehru’s Use of Article 356: Nehru’s dismissal of the democratically elected communist government in Kerala highlighted how absolute majorities can undermine federal principles.
  • Indira Gandhi’s Emergency: The misuse of Article 352 to declare a national emergency was a significant example of majoritarian overreach.

2. Current Trends in Coalition Politics

• Pro-Majoritarian Legislation Under Modi Era:
  • Triple Talaq Legislation: Penalized the practice of instant divorce among Muslims, seen as aligning with pro-majoritarian policies.
  • Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): Provided a pathway to citizenship for non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries, which critics argue was discriminatory.
• Recent Positive Changes:
  • Wakf Bill: The bill was referred to a joint parliamentary committee after coalition partners raised concerns, showing a shift towards collaborative decision-making.
  • Broadcast Bill: The draft bill was kept in abeyance, reflecting a cautious approach to potentially controversial reforms.
  • Recruitment Notification: The withdrawal of notifications for certain posts aimed at lateral entry, which lacked adherence to communal reservations, indicates responsiveness to coalition dynamics.
  • Budget Adjustments: Revisions to budget announcements, such as changes in indexation, demonstrate adaptability.

3. Constitutional Provisions on Executive Responsibility

Article 75:

• Collective Responsibility:
  • Cabinet Responsibility:Article 75 mandates that the council of ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (House of the People), ensuring that the entire cabinet is accountable for executive actions.
  • Supreme Court Ruling:The State of Karnataka vs Union of India (1977) affirmed that the collective responsibility principle means that all ministers share accountability for government decisions.
• Implications for Coalition Governments:
  • Pluralistic Nature:Coalition cabinets, composed of representatives from multiple parties, naturally embody diverse perspectives and policies, aligning with the constitutional goal of avoiding autocratic governance.

4. Coalition Governments at the State Level

• Autocratic Tendencies:
  • West Bengal Government: Recent events, such as the handling of the murder of a medical trainee, illustrate potential autocratic behavior even within state governments.
• Article 164: State Cabinet Responsibility:
  • Plurality in States: Article 164 provides for collective responsibility at the state level as well, although single-party majorities can undermine this principle.
• Historical Context: In states with coalition governments, decision-making tends to be more inclusive and less prone to autocratic tendencies.

5. Comparative Models of Democracy

• Arend Lijphart’s Democracy Models:
  • Majoritarian Model: Concentrates executive power in single-party majority cabinets, leading to dominance over the legislature and a unitary system.
  • Consensus Model: Features executive power sharing in multi-party coalitions, promoting federalism and inclusive decision-making.
• Western European Context:
  • Proportional Representation: Facilitates stable coalition governments, contrasting with India’s first-past-the-post system, which often results in coalition politics by necessity rather than choice.

6. Historical Performance of Coalition Governments

• UPA Era (1999-2009):
  • Economic Growth: Coalition governments during this period, particularly under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, achieved rapid economic growth and improved center-state relations.
  • Progressive Legislation: Introduced key statutes such as the Right to Information Act, Right to Education Act, and Food Security Act, which had a significant impact on social welfare.
  • Common Minimum Programme (CMP): Enabled effective governance by ensuring that coalition partners agreed on key policy goals.

7. Recent Developments and Future Prospects

• Revival of Pension Scheme:
  • Policy Shift: The decision to reinstate 50% of the last drawn pay as pension reversed the unpopular National Pension Scheme, illustrating the potential for coalition governments to address longstanding issues.
• Judicial Independence:
  • Autonomy of Institutions: Coalition governments historically support the independence of key institutions like the judiciary, Election Commission, and Comptroller and Auditor General, contributing to a balanced power structure.

8. Challenges and Recommendations for Coalition Politics

• Consensus and Accountability:
  • Need for Dialogue: Coalition governments require ongoing dialogue and consensus to function effectively and prevent autocratic behavior.
  • Anti-Corruption Measures: Implementing systems to combat corruption and ensure durable governance models is essential for maintaining effective coalitions.
• Future Engagement:
  • Lack of Schemes: The 2024 elections did not feature significant proposals for revitalizing coalition politics or enhancing public engagement. Both major political blocs failed to address these aspects comprehensively.

9. Conclusion

• Egalitarian Politics:Emphasizing consensus and collaboration is vital for countering majoritarianism and ensuring that governance serves the interests of all citizens. Future coalitions should build on past experiences to create effective and inclusive governance frameworks.