Question

What do you mean by coalition government? Why has it become a common feature in India these days? What are the limitations of coalition government?

Answer 1

When a single party fails to secure a majority in the elections a number of parties or independent members support the largest party to form a government. Through out the world where Parliamentary government exists this is the common practice.
From 1947 to 1967 Congress used to form single Party governments at the Centre and the States. However after 1967 the power of Congress weakened and many regional parties came to power in the States.
However at the Centre a coalition government came to power for the first time in 1977 and it continued upto 1980 although two Prime Ministers held office in between.
Stricly speaking although Janata Party government in 1977 headed by Late Morarji Desai was a single party government it was formed hastily after emergency and it was more a conglomerate of parties than a single party. Its unity didn't continue for long.
Several coalition governments headed by different parties happened again in India from 1989 to 2014 when no single party could secure a majority. It was either headed or supported by two bigger parties like BJP or Congress.
In 2014 although BJP won an absolute majority under Prime Minister Modi, he formed a multiparty government to increase cohesion among a number of parties.
Late Jyoti Basu in West Bengal formed coalition governments of Left parties from 1977 to 2001 although CPM enjoyed absolute majority in the Assembly. After him Shri Buddhadev Bhattacharya continued the practice upto 2011 when he was the Chief Minister.
There are two aspects of single party and multiparty governments which need be considered here.
In times of national emergency like war or any natural calamity like flood and cyclone multiparty national government is better as it establishes consensus.
However in peace times single party government is more effective as it takes quick decisions for rapid development.