No party time for political parties
Reviewed by Nirbhai Singh

Dynamics of Party System and Coalition Governments in India
By Ranpal Singh and Tejvir Singh. Alfa Publications.
Pages xvii+143. Rs 700

It is an analysis of one-party dominance as well as pulls of multi-party coalitions

The book under review is on the current Indian political scenario that has shifted from one-party rule in the Centre and states to multi-party rule, based on caste, religion, linguistic, economic and other foreign materialistic ideologies and capitalistic modes of globalisation. Spiritual culture and unity eroded.

In the "Introduction," Ranpal Singh explains the theme of the seminar "Dynamics of Party System" held at Sadhaura College in October, 2007. The edited work consists of 16 revised articles presents by the seminarians. The book has been divided into three parts: Party System in India, Coalition Governments in India and Case studies. The editor explains adoption of the parliamentary system for India, which requires the two-party system. One-party dominance "resulted in regionalization of Indian politics" (Foreword). It corrupted the spiritual spirit of Indian politics. Parochial thinking disintegrated the unity of India.

Caste, religion, language, economic disparities, etc. are responsible for the multi-party system and coalition governments in the Centre and states. In the post-Independence period, feudal and princely elements which were loyal to the British Empire, stealthily penetrated into our political system. The national spirit has been eclipsed by power-snatchers. Power-hungry opposition politicians aim at exposing, opposing, and deposing the treasury benches.

Pioneers of the Congress Party had a vision of free India where there would be no exploitation and the basic necessities of life would be met without any discrimination. This utopian dream could not be translated into a living reality.

Three articles in Part-1 deal with the theoretical aspect of the book. Ranbir Singh rightly says: "The nature of leadership is a significant factor in shaping the character of the party system" (page 3).

India inherited the one-party dominance system when there were charismatic national personalities when the British quit India on August 1947. In the present political stock, leaders with a national vision are a rare commodity. Openness, transparency, and accountability are imperatives for successful functioning of a democracy. V. Eshwar Anand rightly says that no one bothers about the fact that the political parties are causing damage to democracy. (pages 23-26)

The second part, Coalition Governments in India (pages 27-118), comprises 10 articles explaining typology, evolution, and functioning of coalition governments. Paradigmatic shift from one-party dominance to multi-party dynamics has been taken up. Problems and shortcomings of coalition government have been pointed out. This trend is dangerous to Indian parliamentary democracy. Factionalism and infighting has made Parliament and state assemblies nothing short of stinky fish markets.

The last part consists of case studies of coalition governments in the states of Punjab and Haryana. Bhupinder Singh gives the history of the coalition government of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP in Punjab. Voters are bribed for getting votes. Force and booth capturing are common features in Punjab. The masses have had a bitter experience of corruption, nepotism and exploitation. And case studies of Saroj Malik and Tejvir Singh of Haryana present a dismal experience in Haryana.

The book provides encapsulated material for the readers to choose between multi-party coalition governments and one-party dominance governments.

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