Since the 1980s, Indian politics has undergone significant transformations that have reshaped the party system at both the national and state levels. The evolution of the Indian party system has been marked by the decline of the Congress Party’s dominance, the rise of regional parties, the increasing importance of identity politics, and the emergence of coalition governments. These changes have made the party system more competitive, fragmented, and regionally diverse.
1. Decline of Congress Dominance
Until the late 1970s, Indian politics was largely characterized by what political scientist Rajni Kothari termed the “Congress system,” where the Indian National Congress functioned as a hegemonic party dominating the political landscape. However, beginning in the 1980s, this dominance began to wane due to various reasons such as internal factionalism, leadership crises, and growing dissatisfaction with centralized policies.
The Congress’s weakening grip was first clearly seen in the 1989 general elections, where it lost its majority and a coalition government led by the Janata Dal, supported by the BJP and Left parties, came to power. At the state level, the weakening of the Congress allowed other parties to emerge as strong challengers, ushering in a new era of competitive multi-party politics.
2. Rise of Regional Parties
One of the most significant developments in state-level politics since the 1980s has been the emergence and consolidation of regional parties. These parties emerged in response to regional aspirations, linguistic identities, cultural differences, and dissatisfaction with the national parties’ inability to address local issues. States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra have seen the rise of powerful regional parties like the DMK and AIADMK, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and Shiv Sena.
These regional parties have not only been dominant at the state level but have also played crucial roles in national politics, particularly in the era of coalition governments. Their growing influence has led to a shift in the nature of Indian federalism from a centrally dominated system to a more balanced federal structure, where state parties have a stronger voice.
3. Fragmentation and Coalition Politics
With the decline of single-party dominance, particularly that of the Congress, Indian politics entered the phase of coalition governments, both at the center and in states. No single party was able to secure a clear majority, which led to the formation of alliances and coalitions. This trend became evident with the formation of the National Front government in 1989 and later the United Front and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 1990s.
At the state level, coalition politics also became common, particularly in states with highly fragmented electoral landscapes. This change brought about more negotiated politics, where regional parties could leverage their strength to extract concessions and influence policymaking. Coalition politics, while ensuring broader representation, also led to political instability in some states due to ideological contradictions among partners.
4. Rise of Identity-Based Politics
Since the 1980s, there has been an increased salience of identity politics—particularly based on caste, religion, and ethnicity. The implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations in the early 1990s, which provided reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), had a profound impact on state politics. It led to the rise of OBC-centric parties such as the SP and RJD in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, respectively.
Religious identity also began to play a stronger role, especially with the rise of the BJP, which mobilized support on the basis of Hindutva ideology. The Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the late 1980s and early 1990s marked a significant shift in Indian politics, resulting in the BJP’s increased electoral success in many northern Indian states.
5. Role of Leadership and Populism
Charismatic regional leaders have played a central role in transforming the party systems in their respective states. Leaders like M.G. Ramachandran, N.T. Rama Rao, Mayawati, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Mamata Banerjee built strong personal followings, enabling their parties to dominate state politics.
Populist schemes, welfare programs, and targeted social benefits (like free electricity, food subsidies, or reservation policies) have been used by these leaders to maintain their popularity. This focus on populism has shaped party systems by making them increasingly centered around strong personalities and performance legitimacy rather than just ideology.
6. Increasing Role of the BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which began as a minor player in Indian politics, significantly expanded its reach from the 1990s onward. With a focus on Hindutva, nationalism, and development, the BJP has successfully challenged both the Congress and regional parties in various states. In many states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, the BJP has managed to establish long-term dominance.
The BJP’s organizational strength, strategic electoral alliances, and use of modern campaign techniques, including social media, have helped it transform the party system by centralizing and nationalizing political narratives that were earlier fragmented at the state level.
7. Technological and Electoral Innovations
The 1980s onward also saw an increased role of technology in elections, including the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and later, the proliferation of digital media, which has influenced how parties campaign and communicate. Political parties have become more professional in their approach, relying on data analytics, targeted messaging, and branding.
This shift has contributed to a more competitive political environment, as even regional parties now adopt modern methods to mobilize support and manage elections.
Conclusion
The Indian party system, particularly at the state level, has undergone significant transformations since the 1980s. The decline of Congress dominance, rise of regional and identity-based parties, emergence of coalition politics, and increasing use of populism and technology have reshaped the political landscape. While these changes have made Indian democracy more representative and inclusive, they have also led to increased political fragmentation and challenges to governance. The dynamic nature of India’s party system continues to evolve, reflecting the country’s complex and diverse socio-political fabric.