Minority government
Topic: Recent Developments in Indian Politics: Coalitions, Mandal and a New Consensus · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 5 "Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System"; Class 12, Ch 8 "Recent Developments in Indian Politics"
Meaning
A minority government is a government that does not have a majority of its own in the Lok Sabha. It stays in power because parties that do not join it support it from outside, either fully or on particular votes. Because of this, it can fall whenever those parties withdraw support.
Example
Indira Gandhi ran a minority government after the 1969 Congress split. V.P. Singh's National Front government (1989-90) survived on outside support from both the BJP and the Left. It fell when the BJP withdrew support in 1990.
Don't confuse with
- Coalition government: here two or more parties share power, usually inside the cabinet. A minority government may be run by one party or by a coalition. What makes it a minority government is that it depends on outside support.