Janata Dal
Topic: Recent Developments in Indian Politics: Coalitions, Mandal and a New Consensus · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 8 "Recent Developments in Indian Politics"
Meaning
The Janata Dal was formed in October 1988. It merged several groups from the old Janata "family" of parties. V.P. Singh had left the Congress after the Bofors controversy and became its leader. The party had strong support among OBCs (Other Backward Classes). It was the main non-Congress, non-BJP force at the Centre in the coalition years.
Example
After the 1989 election, the Janata Dal won 143 seats. It led the National Front government under V.P. Singh (1989-90), which decided to implement the Mandal Commission report. Later it led the United Front government (1996-98) under H.D. Deve Gowda and then I.K. Gujral.
Don't confuse with
- Janata Party: this was the 1977 party that formed the first non-Congress government at the Centre. The Janata Dal (1988) was a later party built from groups of that same family.