United Front
Topic: Recent Developments in Indian Politics: Coalitions, Mandal and a New Consensus · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 8 "Recent Developments in Indian Politics"
Meaning
The United Front was a coalition of the Janata Dal and regional parties, many of them speaking for Dalit, OBC and regional groups. It governed from 1996 to 1998. H.D. Deve Gowda was PM first, then I.K. Gujral. The Congress supported it from outside. This time the Congress and the Left joined to keep the BJP out of power. The United Front governed on a Common Minimum Programme, a shared agenda agreed by its partners.
Example
In 1996 the BJP was the largest party, but Vajpayee's government resigned after 13 days. The United Front then took office. Among the Left parties, the CPI joined the cabinet and the CPI(M) stayed outside. The government lost its majority when Congress president Sitaram Kesri withdrew support.
Don't confuse with
- National Front (1989-90): it was supported from outside by the BJP and the Left, not by the Congress.