Answer the following questions briefly:

Write a note on Coalition Governments.

1. Over the years, as it became more difficult for any single political party to hold the majority in the Lok Sabha, several like-minded parties started coming together to form governments. When these parties decide to run the government on shared principles and interest after the elections (i.e. Post Poll Alliance), it is called a Coalition Government.

2. Political parties in a coalition share power in two ways – either, by joining the Council of Ministers or by providing outside support.

3. As the coalitions become more numerous, regional parties have started seeing a surge in their voice and dominance at the national level. This has helped to increase consensus, strengthen federalism and deepen democracy.

4. Examples of such arrangements include the current coalition government in Karnataka etc.