National Democratic Alliance
Also called: NDA · Topic: Recent Developments in Indian Politics: Coalitions, Mandal and a New Consensus · NCERT: Class 9, Ch 7 "Elections"; Class 12, Ch 8 "Recent Developments in Indian Politics"
Meaning
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is the coalition led by the BJP. Its allies did not share Hindutva, so under A.B. Vajpayee the BJP set aside the temple, Art. 370 and a uniform civil code. It governed on a shared agenda, the National Agenda for Governance (1998). This is an example of pragmatism over ideology, meaning practical needs were put ahead of beliefs.
Example
- March 1998: Vajpayee's NDA government fell by one vote in April 1999.
- 1999-2004: The second NDA government became the first non-Congress government to complete a full term.
- 2014 and 2019: Under Narendra Modi, the BJP won majorities alone (282, then 303 seats) but still governed with its allies.
- 2024: The BJP won 240 seats, short of the 272 needed. The NDA (293 seats) stayed in power with the help of the TDP and JD(U).
Don't confuse with
- United Progressive Alliance (UPA): this was the Congress-led coalition that governed from 2004 to 2014.