“Coalition government has led to strengthening of democracy”. Explain.

1. Coalition government is a government formed by the coming together of at least two political parties. Usually, partners in a coalition form a political alliance and adopt a common programme.
   
2. After 1990, India saw the rise of regional political parties in many states of the country. This was also the beginning of the era of coalition governments at the centre.
   
3. Since no single party got a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the major parties had to enter into alliances with regional and state parties.
   
4. This led to the new culture of sharing and respect for the autonomy of the state governments.
   
5. This was supported by a major judgement of the Supreme Court that made it difficult for the central government to dismiss state governments in an arbitrary manner.