Sanjay Ruparelia
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- January 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780190264918
- eISBN:
- 9780190492175
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190264918.003.0005
- Subject:
- Political Science, Indian Politics
This chapter analyzes the rise of new state-based parties and growing regional demands during the 1980s. The Congress’ return to power in 1980, and its massive electoral victory following the ...
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This chapter analyzes the rise of new state-based parties and growing regional demands during the 1980s. The Congress’ return to power in 1980, and its massive electoral victory following the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984, suggested renewed dominance. Rajiv Gandhi declared his ambition to modernize the state, castigating bureaucratic corruption and promoting economic liberalization. Yet the growth of various opposition forces—the Left Democratic Front of the communists, regional parties such as the Telugu Desam Party, Dravida Munnetra Kazagham and Asom Gana Parishad in the center, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party on the right—intensified electoral competition in the states. The failure of the Congress to grasp the nature of these developments, and its cynical tactical mishandling of federal demands in Assam and Punjab and of secular anxieties stoked by the Ramjanmabhoomi movement and the Shah Bano case, worsened communal polarization and Centre-state relations. Perceptions of high political corruption, general economic mismanagement and mounting opposition unity led to the formation of the Janata Dal and National Front, sealing the demise of the Congress in the 1989 general election.Less
This chapter analyzes the rise of new state-based parties and growing regional demands during the 1980s. The Congress’ return to power in 1980, and its massive electoral victory following the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984, suggested renewed dominance. Rajiv Gandhi declared his ambition to modernize the state, castigating bureaucratic corruption and promoting economic liberalization. Yet the growth of various opposition forces—the Left Democratic Front of the communists, regional parties such as the Telugu Desam Party, Dravida Munnetra Kazagham and Asom Gana Parishad in the center, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party on the right—intensified electoral competition in the states. The failure of the Congress to grasp the nature of these developments, and its cynical tactical mishandling of federal demands in Assam and Punjab and of secular anxieties stoked by the Ramjanmabhoomi movement and the Shah Bano case, worsened communal polarization and Centre-state relations. Perceptions of high political corruption, general economic mismanagement and mounting opposition unity led to the formation of the Janata Dal and National Front, sealing the demise of the Congress in the 1989 general election.
