Regional Parties in National Politics: their Roles in the Formation and Fall of the National Government Since 1989

Abstract

This paper deeply analyses the pattern of shifting of power balance in national
politics. It evaluates the emerging role of regional parties in national politics, weakening of
Congress hegemony which further led the instability and chaos in national politics and
finally clustering of regional parties with national parties leading a stable coalition
government. Result shows that the role of regional and state parties has been crucial in
national politics since 1989. It was in 1989 when Indian politics saw a decisive shift, when
the era of Congress hegemony ended by the constellation of forces and parties with strong
regional roots played a key role. After the instability of one decade (1989 to 1999) in
national politics the alliance of regional parties led by the Congress and the BJP (United
Progressive Alliance and the National Democratic Alliance respectively) completed their
full terms in office (1999-2014).