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SANSKAR PUBLIC SCHOOL, GR. NOIDA WEST

PRE-BOARD II EXAMINATION (2024-25)
POLITICAL SCIENCE (028)
CLASS XII (SET B)

Time Allowed: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:
1. The question paper consists of five sections (A, B, C, D and E) with 30 questions in
total.
2. All questions are compulsory.
3. Question numbers 1-12 are multiple choice questions of one mark each.
4. Question numbers 13-18 are of 2 marks each. Answers to these questions should
not exceed 50-60 words each.
5. Question numbers 19-23 are of 4 marks each. Answers to these questions should
not exceed 100-120 words each. There is an internal choice in two of the 4 marks
questions
6. Question numbers 24-26 are passage, cartoon and map-based questions. Answer
accordingly.
7. Question numbers 27-30 are of 6 marks each. Answers to these questions should
not exceed 170-180 words.
8. There is an internal choice in 6 marks questions.
SECTION - A (12 MARKS)
1. Arrange the following in chronological order-
[1]
i. The UN was founded
ii. Signing of the UN Charter by 50 nations
iii. India joins the UN
iv. Yalta Conference of the 'Big Three'

a) ii, i, iv, iii b) iii, iv, i, ii

c) iv, ii, i, iii d) iii, ii, iv, i

2. By which Five Year Plans the novelty of the planning system had declined? [1]

a) The 11th Five Year b) The 2nd Five Year Plan

Plan

d) The 4th Five Year Plan

c) The 3rd Five Year Plan

3. Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India? [1]

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a) Sukumar Sen b) Shayama Prasad Mukherjee

c) Balraj Madhok d) C. Rajagopalachari

4. The Second Five Year Plan was launched [1]

in

a) 1958 b) 1955

c)1956 d)1957

5. Match List I with List II regarding [1]

globalization.
List-1 List-2
(a) Globalization (i) Abolishing license policy
(b) Privatization (ii) Borderless economy
(c) Liberalization (iii) 1991
(d) New Economic Policy (iv) Disinvestment

a) (a)-(ii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii) b) (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)

c) (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(ii) d) (a)-(i), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(ii)

6. Assertion (A): Princely states covered one-third of the land area of the British Indian [1]
Empire.
Reason (R): Some of the princely states clearly wanted to become part of the
Indian Union.

a) Both A and Rare true and R b) Both A and Rare true but R is
is the correct explanation of not the correct explanation of A.
A.
d) A is false but R is true.
c) A is true but R is false.

7. The Panchsheel agreement was signed between _ [1]

a) Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali b) Jawaharlal Nehru and Zhou Enlai
Bhutto

c) None of these d) Lal Bahadur Shastri and

Yahya Khan

8. Aam Aadmi party was formed in

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_ [1]

a)2011 b)2013

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c)2014 d)2012

9. Which of the following was not among the areas occupied by Pakistan in the Kargil [1]
War?

a) Dras b) Dada
c) Kaksar d) Mashkoh

10. Assertion (A): Vladimir Lenin died in 1924.

[1]
Reason (R): Stalin came to power in 1924.

a) Both A and Rare true and R b) Both A and Rare true but R is
is the correct explanation of not the correct explanation of A.
A.
d) A is false but R is true.
c) A is true but R is false.

11. Who was the leader of the Naga National [1]

Council?

a) Angame Zapu Phizo b) V.P. Singh

c) Karunanidhi d) Lai Denga

12. Expand LTTE [1]

a) Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam b) Liberation Team of Tamil Eelam
c) Liberation Tactics of Tamil d) Liberation Tier of Tamil Eelam
Eelam

SECTION- B (12 MARKS)

13. What is confidence building? How does it function as a means of avoiding violence? [2]

14. State any two major political happenings of 1984 in India. [2]

15. Describe the efforts made by the Government of India to reduce greenhouse gas [2]
emission to have better environment.

16. Mention any two problems which were faced by the Government of Indira Gandhi [2]
during 1969 - 1971.

17. Which factors influence the foreign policy of a nation? [2]

18. What is the full form of EVM? When was it introduced in India? Mention one [2]
advantage each of EVM and Voter Identity Card?
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SECTION-C (20 MARKS)

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19. Differentiate between the traditional and non-traditional notions of security. [4]
20. Discuss the resolution adopted by General Assembly in 1992 over the reform of the [4]
UN Security Council and the role General Assembly to establish peace in world.

21. "The Indian Government is already participating in global efforts through a number [4]
of programmes related to environmental issues". Give any four examples to
support the statement.

OR
Explain the role of environmental movements to meet the challenge of environmental
degradation.

22. Explain any four consequences of globalisation. [4]

OR
Identify and explain any two factors responsible for the emergence of globalisation.

23. What lessons can we draw from the feeling of alienation in some parts of India? [4]
SECTION-D (12 MARKS)
24. Read the text carefully and answer the questions: [4]
A few days before Independence, the Maharaja of Manipur, Bodhachandra Singh,
signed the Instrument of Accession with the Indian government on the assurance
that the internal autonomy of Manipur would be maintained. Under the pressure of
public opinion, the Maharaja held elections in Manipur in June 1948 and the state
became a constitutional monarchy. Thus Manipur was the first part of India to hold
an election based on a universal adult franchise. In the Legislative Assembly of
Manipur, there were sharp differences over the question of the merger of Manipur
with India. While the state Congress wanted the merger, other political parties were
opposed to this. The Government of India succeeded in pressurizing the Maharaja
into signing a Merger Agreement in September 1949, without consulting the
popularly elected Legislative Assembly of Manipur. This caused a lot of anger and
resentment in Manipur, the repercussions of which are still being felt.

(i) Which of the following is the ruler of the Manipur?

a) Hari Singh b) Bodhachandra Singh

c) Hari Chandra Meitei d) Chong Meitei

(ii) Which Indian states were first to held elections on universal adult suffrage?

a) Manipur b) Gujarat
c) Rajasthan d) Punjab

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(iii) Which of the following wanted Manipur to merge with India?

a) Maharaja b) State Party

c) State d) State Youth
Congress

(iv) When did the Government of India succeed in Pressurising the maharaja
of Manipur?

a) 1946
b) 1956
c)1948
d)1949

25. In the given outline political map of India, four states have been marked as (A) (B) [4)
(C) and (D). Identify these states on the basis of the information given below and
write their correct names in your answer book, along with their respective serial
number of the information used and the concerned alphabets as per the
following formate:-
i. The State was carved out of Assam in 1972.
ii. The State where the Communist Party of India formed its Government in 1957.
iii. The states where the MKSS demanded records for famine relief and accounts of
labors.
iv. The state where the Sardar Sarovar dam is located.

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26. Study the cartoon given below carefully and answer the following questions: [4]

i. Write the full form of SAARC.

ii. What message is being given by the placement of seats in the cartoon
with respect to India and Pakistan?
iii. Assess the success of SAARC in improving the relations among its member states.

SECTION-E (24 MARKS)

27. Describe any six factors responsible for the disintegration of [6]
USSR.

OR
Why are India's relations with Russia considered an important aspect of India's foreign
policy? Explain.

28. What is meant by ASEAN? How has it broadened its objectives beyond the economic [6]
and social spheres?

OR
How does geographical proximity influence the formation of regional organisations?

29. What is alliance politics? How has it influenced Indian politics? [6]
OR
Explain any five elements of consensus which have emerged among most political
parties after the Lok Sabha elections by 2004.

30. Describe any three major political developments that took place in India after the [6]
lifting of Emergency in 1977.

OR
Evaluate the role of the Naxalite Movement in India.

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Solutions
SECTION -A {12 MARKS}

1.
(c) iv, ii, i, iii
Explanation: iv. 1945 February: Yalta Conference of the 'Big Three' (Roosevelt, Churchill
and Stalin) decides to organise a United Nations conference on the proposed world
organisation
ii. 1945 June 26: Signing of the UN Charter by 50 nations
i. 1945 October 24: The UN was founded
iii. 1945 October 30: India joins the UN
2.
th Five Year Plan
(d) The 4
Explanation: The Fourth Plan was due to start in 1966. By this time, the novelty of
planning had declined considerably, and moreover, India was facing an acute economic
crisis. The government decided to take a 'plan holiday'. Though many criticisms
emerged both about the process and the priorities of these plans, the foundation of
India's economic development was firmly in place by then.
3. (a) Sukumar Sen
Explanation: The Election Commission of India was set up in January 1950. Sukumar
Sen became the first Chief Election Commissioner. The country's first general elections
were expected sometime in 1950 itself.
4.
(c) 1956
Explanation: 1956
5. (a) (a)-(ii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)
Explanation: (a)-(ii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)
6.
(b) Both A and Rare true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Both A and Rare true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
7.
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru and Zhou Enlai
Explanation: Jawaharlal Nehru and Zhou Enlai
8.
(d) 2012
Explanation: Aam Aadmi Party was formed on 26th November 2012 under the
leadership of Mr Arvind Kejriwal.
9.
(b) Dada

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Explanation: Doda
10. (a) Both A and Rare true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Both A and Rare true and R is the correct explanation of A.
11. (a) Angame Zapu Phizo
Explanation: Led by Angami Zaphu Phizo, a section of the Nagas declared
independence from India way back in 1951. Phizo turned down many offers of any
negotiated settlement. The Naga National Council launched an armed struggle for the
sovereignty of Nagas. After a period of violent insurgency a section of the Nagas signed
an agreement with the Government of India but this was not acceptable to other
rebels. The problem in Nagaland still awaits a final resolution.
12. (a) Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
Explanation: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
SECTION- B (12 MARKS)
13. a. Traditional security accepts confidence building as a means of avoiding violence.
Confidence building is a process in which countries share ideas and information with
their rivals.
b. It works as a means of avoiding violence because the countries tell each other
about their military intentions and their military plans. They also tell each other
about their forces. They tell about the places where their forces are deployed. All
this is to ensure that rivals do not go to war through misunderstanding or
misperception.
14. Two major political happenings of 1984 in India are:
i. The assassination of Indira Gandhi: Rajiv Gandhi led the Congress to a
massive victory in the Lok Sabha elections held immediately thereafter in
1984.
ii. Lok Sabha elections were held: The party won as many as 415 seats in the Lok
Sabha in 1984 was reduced to only 197 in this election.
15. The efforts made by the Government of India to reduce greenhouse gas emission to
have better environment were as:
i. India's National Auto-Fuel Policy mandates cleaner fuels for vehicles.
ii. The Energy Conservation Act 2001, is to improve energy efficiency.
iii. The Electricity Act 2003, encourages the use of renewable energy.
iv. The government is keen to launch a National Mission on Bio-diesel.
16. Two problems faced by Indira Gandhi government during 1969-1971 were as:
i. The factional rivalry between the Syndicate and Indira Gandhi came in the open in
1969 when after the death of President Zakir Hussain's, the post of President of India
fell vacant that year. The Presidential candidate was to be elected.
ii. Various non-congress parties came together to form joint legislative parties.
17. a. The foreign policy of a nation is formulated and implemented by its policy-makers.
In doing so they take into account the national interest of the nation, the internal
and external environment, the national values, the foreign policy goals and
decisions of other nations and the nature of international power structure.
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b. The domestic and international environment influence the foreign policy of a nation.
The developing countries maintain good relations with powerful and rich countries
so that they may get aid or credits.
c. The security dependence too influences the foreign policy as had happened during
the Cold War when various military alliances such as NATO, SEATO came into
existence. Hence, security dependence, international treaties, pacts, trading blocs
and alliances also constitute a factor of foreign policy.
18. i. The full form of EVM: Electronic Voter Machine to record voters' preferences.
ii. Towards the end of the1990s, the Election Commission started using the EVM. By
2004 the entire country had shifted to the EVM.
iii. Advantage of EVM are as follows:
a. Record voters preferences.
b. EVM machines can be moved easily from one place to another as compared to the
ballot boxes, that is why people living in the hilly and other inaccessible can cast
their votes in the elections. So, EVMs provided the right to vote to many peoples
of the country.
SECTION-C (20 MARKS)
19. The differences between traditional and non-traditional security are :
Traditional Security Non-Traditional Security
Non-traditional security goes beyond military
Traditional security deals with use
threats and includes threats that endanger human
or threat of use of the military.
existence.
Traditional threats to security
endanger the core values of Non-traditional security is concerned with threats
sovereignty, independence and that endanger the human than the state.
territorial integrity of the state.
Under the traditional concept, the
Under non-traditional security, the military is used
major focus is on the use of
as a last resort.
military force.
Under traditional security, force is
Under non-traditional concept, the threat is a
both principal threats to security
general environment.
and means to achieve security.
These involve all non-conventional issues, most of
These include Aggression or War which emerged after the end of the Cold War.
by other nations, Insurgency, civil These include Environment-related problems-
wars, etc. Global Warming, Pollution, Resource depletion,
Poverty, Terrorism etc.
20. In 1992, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution, which reflected three
main complaints:

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i. The UN Security Council no longer represents contemporary political realities.
ii. Its decisions reflect only western values and interests and are dominated by a
few powers.
iii. It lacks equitable representation. Considering the above mentioned demands
for restructuring of the UN on 01 January 1997, the UN Secretary General Kofi
Annan initiated an inquiry into how the UN should be reformed.
Through regular meetings, the General Assembly provides a forum for the Member
States to express their views to the entire membership and find consensus on
difficult issues. It makes recommendations in the form of General Assembly
Resolutions.
Decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security, admission of
new members and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds majority, but other
questions are decided by simple majority.
21. Initiatives have been undertaken by the Indian Government in global efforts through
a number of programmes to check environmental degradation. The main principles
of India's stand on environmental issues are mentioned below :
i. India's National Auto Fuel Policy mandates cleaner fuels for vehicles. The Energy
Conservation Act, passed in 2001, outlines initiatives to reform energy efficiency.
ii. The Energy Conservation Act was passed in 2001 to outline initiatives to improve
energy efficiency and Electricity Act, passed in 2003 to encourage the use of
renewable energy by the Indian government as a conservation programme.
iii. The Indian Government is also sincere to start a 'National Mission on Biodiesel'.
Nearly, 11 million hectares of land is being used to produce biodiesel.
iv. India has also one of the largest renewable energy programmes in the world.
OR
The role of environmental movements to meet the change of environmental
degradation is very important. It is justified from the points below :
i. Some of the most significant responses to environmental challenges have come not
from government but rather from groups of environmentally conscious volunteers
around the world.
ii. Three environmental movements are amongst the most vibrant, diverse and
powerful social movements all over the world. These movements create new ideas
and long-term visions. There are some examples to show that diversity is a significant
feature of contemporary environmental movements.
iii. There are forest movements in Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Malaysia. Indonesia, Continental
Africa and India are faced with enormous pressure. Forest clearing in the Third
World continues at an alarming rate despite three decades of environmental
activism.
iv. In the Philippines, a big network of groups and organisations campaigned against
the Western Mining Corporation. Mineral industry's extraction of earth, its use of
chemicals, its clearance of native vegetation and its displacement of communities
continue to invite criticism and resistance in various parts of the globe. Much
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opposition to the company in its own country, Australia, is based on anti-nuclear

sentiments and advocacy for the basic rights of Australian indigenous peoples.
v. Another group of movements is involved in struggles against mega-dams. In
every country where mega dams are being built, we find the environmental
movements opposing the projects. There are struggles and movements against the
construction of mega-dams such as Narmada Bachao Andolan in India. Increasingly
anti-dam movements are pro river movement for more sustainable and equitable
management of river systems and valleys.
22. Economic Consequences:
a. It has involved greater trade in commodities across the globe.
b. There restrictions imposed by other countries on allowing imports of other
countries have been reduced.
Cultural Consequences:
a. The cultural effects of globalisation lead to the fear that it poses a threat to
cultures in the world. Hence, it leads to the rise of uniform culture called cultural
homogenisation.
b. The rise of a uniform culture is not the emergence of a global culture. What we
have in the name of a Global culture is the imposition of western culture on the rest
of the world.
Political Consequences:
a. In place of the welfare state, it is the market that becomes the prime determinant
of economic and social priorities.
b. The entry and increased role of multinational companies all over the world leads to
a reduction in the capacity of governments to take decisions on their own.
Other Consequences:
a. The left-wing protests against economic liberalisation.
b. Indian social forum also raised voices against globalisation.
OR
Major factors responsible for the emergence of globalisation are:
o Fast Means of Communication: The invention of the telegraph, the telephone,
and the microchip in more recent times has revolutionised communication
between different parts of the world. People in different parts of the world now
recognise interconnections with the rest of the world and are much more
aware than before.
o Rise of Digital Technology: Technology affects the way we think not only of our
personal but also our collective lives. The ability of ideas, capital, commodities,
and people to move more easily from one part of the world to another has
been made possible largely by technological advances.
23. Lessons learned from the feeling of alienation in some parts of India was as:
i. First and the most elementary lesson is that regional aspirations are very much a
part of democratic politics. The expression of regional issues is not an abnormal

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phenomenon.
ii. The second lesson is that the best way to respond to regional aspirations is through
democratic negotiations rather than through suppression.
iii. The third lesson is about the significance of power-sharing.
iv. The fourth lesson is that regional imbalance in economic development contributes
to the feeling of regional discrimination.
v. Finally, these cases make us appreciate the farsightedness of the makers of our
constitution.
SECTION-D (12 MARKS)
24. Read the text carefully and answer the questions:
A few days before Independence, the Maharaja of Manipur, Bodhachandra Singh,
signed the Instrument of Accession with the Indian government on the assurance that
the internal autonomy of Manipur would be maintained. Under the pressure of public
opinion, the Maharaja held elections in Manipur in June 1948 and the state became a
constitutional monarchy. Thus Manipur was the first part of India to hold an election
based on a universal adult franchise. In the Legislative Assembly of Manipur, there were
sharp differences over the question of the merger of Manipur with India. While the
state Congress wanted the merger, other political parties were opposed to this. The
Government of India succeeded in pressurizing the Maharaja into signing a Merger
Agreement in September 1949, without consulting the popularly elected Legislative
Assembly of Manipur. This caused a lot of anger and resentment in Manipur, the
repercussions of which are still being felt.
(i) (b) Bodhachandra Singh
Explanation: Bodhachandra Singh
(ii) (a) Manipur
Explanation: Manipur
(iii) (c) State Congress
Explanation: State Congress
(iv) (d) 1949
Explanation: 1949

25. i Meghalaya B
ii Kera la A
iii Rajasthan D
iv Gujarat C
26. i. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
ii. Message of direct opposition message is being given by the placement of seats in the
cartoon with respect to India and Pakistan.
iii. SAARC provided a platform to member countries to improve their trade relations
and Corporation through cultural and international participation. SAARC is a major
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state

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toevolve cooperation through multilateral means.

SECTION-E (24 MARKS)
27. Six factors which are responsible for the disintegration of USSR are as follows:
i. The internal weaknesses of Soviet political and economic institutions failed to
meet the aspirations of the people.
ii. Economic weakness: Economic stagnation for many years led to severe the
consumer items shortages and a large section of Soviet society began to doubt and
question the system and to do so openly. Economic weakness occurred due to the
huge military spending, maintenance of satellite states in Eastern Europe, and of
maintenance of the Central Asian Republics within the USSR.
iii. Political Unaccountability: The Soviet Union had become stagnant in an
administrative and political sense as well. The Communist Party regime for around
70 years turned authoritarian which was not accountable to the people. Ordinary
people were alienated by slow and stifling administration, rampant corruption, the
inability of the system to correct mistakes it had made, the unwillingness to allow
more openness in government and the centralization of authority in a vast land.
iv. The Soviet economy used much of its resources in maintaining a nuclear and
military arsenal and the development of its satellite states in Eastern Europe and
within the Soviet system. This led to a huge economic burden that the system
could not cope with.
v. Gorbachev's reforms: When Gorbachev became the President, he carried out
reforms and loosened the system. He set in motion forces and expectations that
few could have predicted and become virtually impossible to control. There were
sections of Soviet society which felt that Gorbachev should have moved much
faster and were disappointed and impatient with his methods. Others, especially
members of the Communist party and those who were served by the system, took
exactly the opposite view. In tugs of war, Gorbachev lost support on all sides.
vi. Rise of nationalism: The rise of nationalism and the desire for sovereignty within
various republics including Russia and the Baltic Republics, Ukraine, Georgia etc is
the most important and immediate cause for the disintegration of the USSR.
The national feeling was strong among the more prosperous areas in USSR and
not in central Asian republics. Ordinary people didn't like to pay a big price to
uplift the backward Central Asian republics.
OR
India has maintained good relations with all the Post-Communist countries but it has
the strongest relation with Russia which continues to date. Following are some
arguments to support the statement :
i. Inda-Russian relation is an important segment of India's foreign policy. The relations
between these two countries are embedded in a history of trust and common
interests and are matched by popular perceptions. Famous Bollywood personalities

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are common names in Russia. India has very positive relationships with the United
States of Russia right from independence.
ii. Both the countries share a vision of multipolar world order. A multipolar world is the
co-existence of several powers in the international system, collective security,
greater regionalism, negotiated settlements of international conflicts, an
independent foreign policy for all countries and decision-making through bodies like
the United Nations. The foreign policy had been impacted by The united states of
Soviet Russia.
iii. From this relationship, India gets benefits on issues like Kashmir, energy
supplies, sharing information on international terrorism, access to Central Asia and
balancing its relations with China. On the other hand, Russia stands to benefit
from this relationship because India is the second largest arms market for Russia.
The Indian military gets most of its hardware from Russia. In this way, both the
countries had been helpful to each other in many aspects.
iv. Russia is vital for India as it has repeatedly come to the assistance of India during its
oil crisis. India is trying to increase its energy imports from Russia and the republics
of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. In many incidents, The United States of Soviet
Russia had provided economic help to India.
v. Apart from this, Russia is important for India's nuclear energy plants and assisted
India's space industry. Russia had provided help for in India, in each case India
required weapons. For example, Russia has provided the cryogenic rocket when India
needed it. Recently India had a defense deal with Russia to extend their mutual
relationships.
Dut to the above reasons, Russia is considered an important aspect of India's foreign
policy and a true friend for India over the years.
28. I. Meaning of ASEAN:
Association for South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established by five countries of
this region: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand by signing
the Bangkok Declaration.
II. Its objectives and expansion:
i. With some of the fastest growing economies in the world, ASEAN broadened its
objectives beyond the economic and social spheres. In 2003, ASEAN moved along
the path of the EU by agreeing to establish an ASEAN community comprising three
pillars, namely, the ASEAN Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community,
and the ASEAN Sociocultural Community.
ii. The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which was established in 1994, is the
organisation that carries out the coordination of security and foreign policy.
iii. ASEAN is trying to create a common market and production base within ASEAN
states and to aid social and economic development in the region.
iv. ASEAN has focused on creating a Free Trade Area (FTA) for investment, labour,
and services. The US and China have already moved fast to negotiate FTAs with
ASEAN.
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v. ASEAN is rapidly growing into a very important regional organisation. Its Vision-
2020 has defined as an outward-looking role for ASEAN in the international
community.
vi. The current economic strength of ASEAN, especially its economic relevance as a
trading and investment partner to the growing Asian economies such as India and
China, makes this an attractive proposition.
OR
Geographical proximity influences the formation of regional organisations because the
countries of a region face similar problems. For example, before and after the Second
World War, the South East Asian countries suffered the economic and political
consequences of repeated colonialisms, both European and Japanese. There were
common problems of nation-building, the ravages of poverty, economic backwardness
and the pressure to join one bloc or the other during the Cold War. There was no
informal cooperation and interaction. Thus, ASEAN was established by South East Asian
countries. Similarly, the effects of the Second World War brought the West European
states closer to each other. Marshall Plan, OEEC, Council of Europe, the European
Economic Community, European Parliament and ultimately the European Union were
various steps in this direction. If the European Union has succeeded in the creation of
the European Parliament or to have a common currency i.e., Euro, it is due to their
geographical proximity.
29. I. Meaning of coalition or alliance politics: The term 'coalition' as it generally used in
political science, is a direct descendant of the exigencies of a multi-party system in a
democratic set-up.
According to the dictionary meaning, coalition means an act of coalescing or
uniting into one body, a union of persons, states, or an alliance. The coalition
government of 1989 led by Janta Dal under Priministership of V.P. Singh, gain
popularity for the first time.
II. Influence of alliance politics or coalition politics in India:
i. India has adopted a multi-party system. There are more chances of alliances
nowadays in our country as in many states or even at centre, not a single political
party is getting clearcut majority since the last four-five general elections. In India,
at the centre level, two alliances have been formed popularly known as NOA led
by Bhartiya Janata Party and United Progressive Alliance UPA, led by Congress.
It is a phenomenon of a multi-party government where a number of minority
parties join hands for the purpose of running the government, which is otherwise
not possible in a democracy based on a one-party system. A coalition is formed
when many splinter groups in a House agree to join hands on a common platform
by sinking their broad differences and form majority in the House. It is an
astonishing chorus of discords. Though outwardly a coalition appears to be one
solid mass, inwardly it is ridden by party fables and frantic party fervours and it is
for this reason that coalition proves to be transient.

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ii. The system of coalitions has certain important implications. Firstly, coalitions are
formed for the sake of some reward, material or psychic, secondly, a coalition
implies the existence of at least two partners. Thirdly, the underlying principle of
a coalition system stands on the simple fact of temporary conjunction of specific
interest. Fourthly, coalition politics is not a static but a dynamic affair as coalition
players and groups dissolve and form new ones. Fifthly, the keynote of coalition
politics is compromise and rigid dogma has no place in it. Sixthly, a coalition
government works on the basis of a minimum programme which may not be
ideal for each partner of the coalition. After all, politics is the art of possible and
coalition politics is its highest expression. Seventhly, pragmatism and not
ideology is the hallmark of coalition politics. Lastly, the purpose of a coalition
adjustment is to seize power; it may seek to stake its claim for the formation of a
ministry or for pulling a ministry down.
OR
The following elements of consensus have emerged among most political parties of
India after the Lok Sabha Elections of 2004.
i. Consensus upon the New Economic Policy: While many groups are opposed to
the new economic policies, most political parties are in support of the new
economic policies. Baring a few parties, the majority among them unanimously
agrees to the new economic policy of globalization. Most parties believe and
imagine that these will bring prosperity to the nation and thus, India will soon
become an economic power of the world.
ii. Consensus upon the socio-political claims of the backward castes: Political
parties have recognized that the social and political claims of the backward
castes need to be accepted.Almost all political parties have felt the need to
accept the social and political demands of the backward castes in India. It can be
observed from every party's focus on a reservation of seats/posts of backward
castes in legislative and government institutions.
iii. Consensus upon the role of regional parties in making the government: The
difference between regional and national parties is gradually shrinking.
Regional parties are setting alliance and share power with national parties at
the national level, since the last twenty years and thus, these have played an
important role in the politics in India.
iv. Political alliance without consent of ideology: We observe that since the last two
decades, parties with the difference in ideologies join in the alliance because they
focus on power sharing. Such alliances are NDA and UPA, Popular United Front
consisting of Akali Dal, CPI, CPI (M), SSP, Republican Party and Bhartiya Jansangh
in Punjab (Assembly election 1967), Grand Alliance of 1971's general election,
Alliance of Congress (R) with CPI, etc.
v. Emphasis on Pragmatic Considerations: Coalition politics has shifted the focus of
political parties from ideological differences and power-sharing arrangements. Thus

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most parties of the NOA did not agree with the 'Hindutva' ideology of the BJP.
Yet, they came together to form a government and remained in power for a full
term.
30. There major political developments that took place in India after the lifting of
Emergency in 1977 were as follows:
i. Janata Party: It accepted the leadership of Jayaprakash Narayan. Some leaders of the
Congress who opposed the Emergency also joined this new party. Some other
Congress leaders also came out and formed a separate party under the leadership of
Jagjivan Ram. This party named as Congress for Democracy which later merged with
the Janata Party. Janata Party made this election into a referendum on the
Emergency. Its campaign was focussed on the non-democratic character of the rule
and torture, atrocities, suppression, etc that took place during Emergency.
ii. Result of 1977 Elections: The final result of 1977 election was surprising because the
Congress was defeated in the Lok Sabha elections for the first time since
independence. In North India, it was a massive electoral wave against the Congress.
The Congress lost in every constituency in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and
Punjab. It could hardly won any seat each in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Indira
Gandhi was defeated from Raebareli and her son Sanjay Gandhi from Amethi.
The impact of Emergency was not felt equally in all the states. The forced
relocations and displacements, the forced sterilisation, were mostly concentrated in
the Northern states. The middle castes from North India were moving away from
the Congress and Janata party became a platform for many of these sections to
come together.
iii. Split between Janata Government and Janata Party: Janata Party Government
that came to power after 1977 elections were far from unity. There was stiff
competition among Morarji Desai, Charan Singh and Jagjivan Ram for the post of
Prime Minister. Finally, Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister but the internal
power struggle within the party continued.
The Janata Party Government did not bring any fundamental change in policies
pursued by Congress. The Janata Party split and the government led by Morarji Desai
lost its majority in less than 18 months. Another Government headed by Charan
Singh was formed on the assurance of the support of the Congress party. Fresh
elections to Lok Sabha were held in January 1980 in which Janata Party lost badly,
particularly in North India where it had swept the polls in 1977. Congress party
under the leadership of Indira Gandhi repeated its great victory. It won 353 seats
and form the government.
OR
The Naxalite Movement: It was a peasant uprising that took place in the area of
Naxalbari police station in Darjeeling hills district of West Bengal. It was led by local
cadres of the Communist Party (M) in 1967. Soon the peasant movement spread to
several states of India and came to be referred broadly as the Naxalite movement.
Role or activities of the Naxalite Movement:
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i. In 1969, under the leadership of Charu Majumdar, peasants broke off from the CPI
(M) and a new party, Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML), was formed. It
argued that democracy in India was a facade and decided to adopt a strategy of
protracted guerrilla warfare in order to lead a revolution.
ii. The Naxalite movement has used force to snatch land from the rich landowners and
give it to the poor who were landless. Its supporters advocated the use of violent
means to achieve their political goals.
iii. In spite of the use of preventive detention and other strong measures adopted
by the Congress party government in West Bengal, the Naxalite movement did
not come to an end. In later years, it spread to many other parts of the country.
iv. The Naxalite movement has by now splintered into various parties and organisations.
Some of these parties, like the CPI (M), participate in open, democratic politics.
v. About 75 districts in nine states are affected by Naxalite violence. These give open
support to farmers exploited by landlords who are denied their rightful share in
produce, fair wages, and cheated by money lenders. These organisations are thus,
more active in remote and backward areas including tribal regions.

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