State politics in India since the 1980s have evolved in response to a variety of economic, social, and political factors. This period has seen a transformation in the role and dynamics of state governments, including shifts in power, political alignments, and state policies. Some of the major features of state politics in India since the 1980s are as follows:
1.1 Emergence of Regional Political Parties:
One of the most significant developments in Indian state politics since the 1980s has been the rise of regional political parties. These parties emerged as a response to the centralization of power in New Delhi and the perceived neglect of regional aspirations by national parties. Notable regional parties include the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, and the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. These parties have significantly altered the political landscape, often playing a pivotal role in the formation of coalition governments both at the state and national levels.
1.2 Decline of Congress Dominance:
The Congress Party, which had been the dominant political force at both the national and state levels post-independence, began to lose its hold in many states during the 1980s and 1990s. This was particularly evident after the rise of regionalism and the increasing influence of caste-based politics. In states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu, Congress was gradually pushed aside by new regional formations that better addressed the concerns of local populations. This decline was compounded by internal divisions within the Congress Party and its failure to adapt to the changing political dynamics.
1.3 Coalition Politics:
The 1980s and 1990s witnessed the growing importance of coalition politics in Indian state governments. As national parties, particularly the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), faced challenges in winning a clear majority, state-level coalitions became more common. Coalition governments were often formed by parties with differing ideologies, including alliances between regional, caste-based, and ideological parties. This trend towards coalition politics began at the state level and influenced national politics as well, as seen in the formation of coalition governments at the Centre in the 1990s.
1.4 Caste-based Politics:
Another defining feature of state politics since the 1980s has been the rise of caste-based politics. Parties representing specific caste groups or communities, such as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh or the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar, gained prominence by mobilizing caste-based sentiments. The Mandal Commission report of the 1990s, which recommended reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs and educational institutions, played a crucial role in the empowerment of lower castes and led to the strengthening of caste-based politics.
1.5 Electoral and Political Mobilization:
The 1980s also saw the emergence of mass mobilization techniques, particularly through the use of identity-based politics. The rise of Hindutva, led by the BJP, and the growing role of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the increasing significance of religion in state politics. Additionally, the use of technology and media, such as television and later social media, became a critical tool for political communication and electoral mobilization.
1.6 Political and Economic Decentralization:
Following the economic liberalization in 1991, the central government devolved more powers and responsibilities to state governments. This marked a shift towards decentralization, as states began to have more control over their economic policies and development priorities. The introduction of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in the 1990s, which aimed to empower rural and urban local bodies, further reinforced this decentralization. This move was aimed at strengthening grassroots democracy and improving local governance, although its implementation has been uneven across states.
1.7 Impact of National Politics on State Politics:
National political developments continued to influence state politics. For instance, the rise of the BJP in the 1990s and its consolidation in the 2000s had a significant impact on state politics, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. The BJP’s success at the state level was often linked to its ability to form alliances with regional and caste-based parties. Similarly, the Congress and Left parties also maintained a presence in state politics, often forming state-specific coalitions to challenge the BJP’s dominance.
Conclusion:
State politics in India since the 1980s has been characterized by increased regionalism, the rise of coalition governments, caste-based political mobilization, and a shift towards decentralization. The political landscape has diversified, with regional parties playing a central role in shaping state and national political dynamics. The political developments of this period have had a lasting impact on India’s federal structure and have influenced the nature of Indian democracy, making it more complex and multi-dimensional.