The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) overwhelming victory in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections raised questions about the future of political alliances in India. With 282 seats on its own and 325 with allies, the BJP surpassed the 272-seat mark for the first time since 1984. In contrast, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) saw a historic low, winning only 61 seats compared to 300+ in 2009.
Despite the BJP's strong performance, analysts argue that the coalition era is not over. Bidyut Chakrabarty, a political science professor, believes the BJP's success does not mean the end of alliances. The BJP remains a minority in the Rajya Sabha, where it has just 48 of 245 seats, making alliances crucial for passing reforms and economic policies.
The BJP’s spokesman, Balbir Punj, emphasized the party's intent to build consensus and not rule solely by majority, inviting others to collaborate on social and economic agendas. Historical examples of coalition governments, such as those formed in the 1970s and 1980s, show that coalitions can face challenges but also deliver stability if managed well.
While the BJP's victory ensures surplus support, the UPA’s poor showing may lead to questions about its alliance's sustainability. However, Chakrabarty suggests that the Congress and its allies will likely remain together for survival, as the party works to recover from its defeat. The future of realignments and shifts in alliances remains uncertain, with some predicting that the Congress will need to reinvent itself to remain relevant in Indian politics.