Question

"The need of political alliance in present scenario is a necessity." Discuss.

Hint:

When discussing political alliances, use examples from recent political history. In India, the long tenures of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) and the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) governments serve as prime examples of how coalitions can provide stable governance for extended periods.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
A political alliance, or coalition, is a partnership between two or more political parties to contest elections and/or form a government. The statement argues that such alliances are no longer a choice but a necessity in contemporary politics.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The necessity of political alliances in the present scenario can be discussed on the following grounds:
1. Addressing Fractured Mandates: In many multi-party democracies, it is increasingly rare for a single party to win a clear majority in elections. The rise of regional parties and the fragmentation of the national vote make coalitions necessary to cobble together a majority and form a stable government, thus avoiding the instability of frequent elections.
2. Ensuring Representation of Diversity: In a large and diverse country like India, a single national party may not adequately represent the vast array of regional, linguistic, ethnic, and social interests. Alliances that include regional and smaller parties ensure that these diverse voices are heard in the national government, leading to more inclusive governance.
3. Promoting Consensus and Moderation: Coalition governments, by their very nature, require negotiation and compromise among partners. This often leads to more moderate, consensus-driven policies, preventing any single party from pushing an extreme ideological agenda. This can be a check against the arbitrary exercise of power.
4. Combining Strengths: Alliances allow parties to pool their resources, vote banks, and regional strengths. A party strong in one region can ally with another party strong in a different region to create a formidable national force.
While coalition governments can sometimes be unstable and prone to policy paralysis due to internal disagreements, their role in providing stable governance and ensuring broader representation in an era of political fragmentation makes them a necessity.
Step 3: Final Answer:
In the current political landscape characterized by multi-party systems and fractured electoral outcomes, political alliances are a necessity for forming functional governments, representing the nation's diversity, and fostering a culture of consensus and political moderation.