Question

critically analyse the centre-state relations prior to 1990?

Answer 1

Ans. (i) Prior to 1990, except for once, the Congress ruled at the centre for about 40 years. These were the years when the single party made the government.

(ii) The government at the centre ruled the states with biased views. It supported those states which had a government formed by the same party. The government at many occasions dismissed the state governments formed by other parties in the name of law and order situations. In other words, the centre dictated the states and the states had no alternative except to follow the centre.

(iii) The rise of regional politics in many states has changed the Centre-State relations significantly after 1990. This was also the beginning of the era of coalition governments at the centre.

(iv) Since, no single party got a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, major national parties had to enter into an alliance with many small regional parties. Hence, regional parties do take care of their states.

(v) This led to a new culture of power sharing and respect for the autonomy of state government. It became difficult for the central government to dismiss state governments in an arbitrary manner.

Answer 2

Answer:

Prior to 1990, the Congress government in particular controlled India's center-state relations.

Explanation:

• The Congress had power at the centre for around 40 years before 1990, with one exception. During these years, a single party formed the government.
• The central authority dominated the states with prejudice. It backed states where the same party formed the government.
• They were in charge of the administrative, social, and political spheres. There were several regional parties as well, but Congress was the dominant, nationally recognised party.
• However, after 1990, things started to shift. However, centre state administrations underwent major transformation after 1990.

The Congress has lost its hegemonic status in the Center. Many regional parties joined forces with the federal administration as coalition partners.

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