Polity in Transition

The general elections of May 2004 in India saw the ousting of the National Democratic Alliance and the victory of a Congress-led coalition. Though Indian politics has since undergone a significant shift, with the Congress entering into power-sharing arrangements with smaller formations, an unusual situation at the apex finds corollary shifts in the base of the body politic. The ascendancy of 'regional' parties and the increasing electoral clout of marginal groups have been major developments. How these forces will govern in an era of economic reform will influence India's future. Political and institutional challenges will continue to matter, but whether or not the Nehru-Gandhi clan can restore the fortunes of their party is still unclear. It will also be worth watching how the opposition re-groups and how far the ruling coalition resolves internal contradiction