Divided We Stand: India in a Time of Coalitions

This topical and absorbing book, written by two eminent journalists, explains why India has entered a new era of coalition politics and analyses the consequences and implications of this relatively recent phenomenon. Transition from single party domination to multiparty configurations or coalitions, the authors argue, is neither temporary nor an aberration. Dismissing the notion of bi-polarity, and resting the debate on whether coalition governments are here to stay, the authors debate on whether coalitions are at best a necessary evil or are better than single-party governments. Among other issues the author dwell upon are: The quagmire of coalition politics and the fate of the leading political players–a gradual revival in the fortunes of the Congress and the ‘honeymoon’ with the Left coming under cloud, the power struggle within the BJP, ‘social engineering’ and victory of the BSP in Uttar Pradesh. The rise of the new Dominant Left, the internal differences and the influence on the country’s economic policies.  Political coalitions leading to better governance and greater federalism and reduced incidence of corruption. The new politics of economic liberalisation and globalisation, together with the crucial issue of growth with equity. The crucial question of whether coalitions can provide stable governments and under what circumstances. Challenging many widely held views on the Indian political process, this book is a must read for anyone interested in Contemporary Indian politics at the beginning of the 21 century.