The Lok Sabha election results from 1989 to 1991 marked a period of political realignment, coalition politics, and the emergence of new political forces in India. These years were characterized by economic challenges, social transformations, and the rise of regional parties.
Situation Before the Election: Before the 1989 Lok Sabha elections, India was facing economic difficulties and the country’s political landscape was undergoing a transformation. The Indian National Congress, led by Rajiv Gandhi, was grappling with allegations of corruption, and there was growing discontent with the party’s governance. The opposition was characterized by various parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal, and regional parties that were gaining prominence.
Major Agenda of the Election: The major agenda of the 1989 Lok Sabha elections revolved around issues such as corruption, good governance, economic reforms, and social justice. The opposition parties, particularly the Janata Dal and the BJP, campaigned on promises of clean governance, accountability, and addressing the needs of marginalized communities. The election was seen as an opportunity for change and a chance to break away from the dominance of a single party.
Number of Members: The total number of members in the Lok Sabha during this period was 545.
Winning Party and Opposition Party: The 1989 Lok Sabha elections saw the Indian National Congress facing a significant defeat. The National Front, a coalition of various opposition parties including the Janata Dal and regional parties, emerged victorious. The National Front won 143 seats out of the 545, and with the support of other parties, formed the government. The BJP also made substantial gains, winning 85 seats and emerging as a potent political force in national politics.
Election Analysis: The 1989-1991 Lok Sabha election results marked a turning point in Indian politics. The victory of the National Front demonstrated the potential of coalition politics and the importance of regional parties in shaping the national narrative. The election marked the end of the era of single-party dominance in Indian politics and heralded the beginning of a more diverse and fragmented political landscape.The election outcome led to the formation of a minority government under the leadership of V.P. Singh, with the support of various parties. The government faced challenges such as the Mandal Commission reservations issue, which stirred debates on social justice and led to significant social and political upheaval.This period also saw the emergence of the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute as a prominent political and social issue, further shaping the trajectory of Indian politics in the years to come.
Results of Political Parties
| Party Name | Seats Won |
|---|
| Indian National Congress (INC) | 195 |
| Janata Dal (JD) | 142 |
| Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 89 |
| Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) | 34 |
| Communist Party of India (CPI) | 12 |
| All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) | 11 |
| Independent (Ind.) | 8 |
| Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) | 7 |
| Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP) | 4 |
| Revolutionary Socialist Party (India) (RSP) | 4 |
| All India Forward Bloc(AIFB) | 3 |
| Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (J&KNC) | 3 |
| Jharkhand Mukti Morcha(JMM) | 3 |
| Shiv Sena (SS) | 3 |
| Nominated (NM) | 3 |
| Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) | 2 |
| Telugu Desam Party (TDP) | 2 |
| All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) | 1 |
| Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) | 1 |
| Congress (S) (Congress (S)) | 1 |
| Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) | 1 |
| Indian Peoples’ Front (IPF) | 1 |
| Kerala Congress(M) (KC(M)) | 1 |
| Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) | 1 |
| Marxist Coordination (MC) | 1 |
| Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP) | 1 |
| Total | 534 |
|---|
Lok Sabha Officers
| Position | Name | From | To | Days in Office |
|---|
| Speaker | Shivraj V. Patil | 10-Dec-1989 | 22-Jan-1991 | 409 |
| Deputy Speaker | Sompal Shastri | 10-Feb-1989 | 9-Jul-1991 | 879 |
| Secretary-General | Subhash C. Kashyap | 15-May-1989 | 20-Dec-1993 | 1676 |
| Leader of the House | Rajiv Gandhi | 02-Dec-1989 | 21-May-1991 | – |
| Leader of Opposition | Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 19-Dec-1989 | 10-Jun-1991 | – |
In conclusion, the 1989-1991 Lok Sabha election results highlighted the increasing influence of regional parties and coalition politics in India. The era marked a departure from the single-party dominance that had characterized previous decades and set the stage for greater political pluralism and diversity in the years ahead.
