Comprehension

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions based on it:
“The defeat of the Congress party in 1989 marked the end of Congress dominance over the Indian party system. It did not, however, mean the emergence of any other single party to fill in its place. Thus, began an era of multi-party system, in which regional parties played a crucial role in forming the alliances.”

Question: 1

In which year did the Congress party face a setback for the first time and lose power in some states?

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To memorize the trajectory of Congress decline, remember that 1967 represents the first state-level setback (loss of power in 9 states due to coalition-based Non-Congressism), whereas 1989 represents the structural end of central-level single-party dominance, initiating the national coalition era.

Updated On: Jul 2, 2026

1962
1967
1971
1977

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The Correct Option is B

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Question: 2

Which political party/alliance formed the first coalition government in December 1989?

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Do not confuse the National Front (1989) with the United Front (1996). Both were non-Congress alliances, but the National Front was supported externally by the BJP and the Left, while the United Front was supported externally by the Congress and the Left.

Updated On: Jul 2, 2026

National Conference
National Front
Indian National Congress
United Front

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The Correct Option is B

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Question: 3

Which one of the following regional parties never formed a government in any state?

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To easily answer this question, assess the status of state leaders: DMK had Annadurai and Karunanidhi in Tamil Nadu, SAD had Badal in Punjab, and BSP had Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh. The BKD was a short-lived transient party that quickly merged into the broader national-level anti-Congress Janata coalitions.

Updated On: Jul 2, 2026

Bahujan Samaj Party
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Bharatiya Kranti Dal
Shiromani Akali Dal

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The Correct Option is C

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Question: 4

Which party was the largest party in the Lok Sabha after the 1989 elections?

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In a hung parliament, the single largest party (here, INC with 197 seats) is not necessarily the ruling party if it lacks allies. The government is instead formed by the alliance that can successfully demonstrate a majority floor-test on the floor of the Lok Sabha.

Updated On: Jul 2, 2026