Chapter 46 : Three Prime Ministers in Three Years (1996-99)

Three Prime Ministers in Three Years (1996-99)

Background: 1996 Elections

• The period 1996-99 was characterised by quick changes of government, seeing three prime ministers at the helm.
• 1996 Elections Outcome:
• The BJP won its largest tally so far but, even with its allies, it was far from the simple majority required to form a government on its own.
• The National Front emerged as a contender with the specific agenda of replacing the Congress or the BJP.
• The elections demonstrated, for the first time, the growing strength of regional and state parties.

Key Terms

📌 Exam Tidbits

• Period: 1996-99 saw three different Prime Ministers.
• Significance of 1996 Elections: Marked the first time the strength of regional and state parties was prominently shown at the national level.

Vajpayee's Short-Lived Term as Prime Minister

• Government Formation: As the BJP was the largest party in the Lok Sabha, President Shankar Dayal Sharma invited it to try and form a government.
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee, leader of the BJP, was elected as the new Prime Minister of India.
• Resignation:
• Vajpayee realised he would not win the confidence vote as no ally was ready to support the BJP.
• He resigned after just 13 days in office.

Key Terms

📌 Exam Tidbits

• Personality: Atal Bihari Vajpayee (BJP leader, served as PM for 13 days).
• Personality: Shankar Dayal Sharma (President who invited the BJP to form the government).
• Causal Chain: BJP emerges as largest party → President invites Vajpayee → No allies support BJP → Vajpayee resigns after 13 days to avoid losing confidence vote.

United Front Government: Deve Gowda and I.K. Gujral

• Following the fall of the Vajpayee government, the Congress (the second largest party) declined the invitation to form a government.

Deve Gowda Government (1996–97)

• Formation: The United Front formed the government, led by Deve Gowda.