The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) played a significant role in Indian politics from 2004 to 2014. Here’s a breakdown of key events and factors during its tenure:
- Formation of the UPA (2004):
- The UPA was established in response to the unexpected defeat of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.
- The Congress, with 145 seats, was only slightly ahead of the BJP. Keeping the BJP out of power became a crucial objective for the secular opposition.
- Role of Harkishen Singh Surjeet:
- Veteran Communist leader Harkishen Singh Surjeet, who was the PM general secretary at the time, played a pivotal role in bringing together various parties.
- Surjeet, along with the Congress, succeeded in uniting 14 parties to form a post-poll alliance with the Congress. These included parties like RJD, DMK, NCP, and others.
- Support from Left Parties:
- The four Left parties – CPM, CPI, RSP, and Forward Bloc – extended their support to the UPA from outside. This support was based on a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) signed on May 17, 2004.
- Inclusion of Samajwadi Party and RLD:
- Although the Congress did not initially invite the Samajwadi Party and the RLD, Harkishen Singh Surjeet brought leaders Ajit Singh and Amar Singh into the fold.
- Name Selection for Alliance:
- Other names like ‘United Secular Alliance’ or ‘Progressive Secular Alliance’ were considered. However, DMK leader M. Karunanidhi suggested the name ‘Progressive Alliance,’ which was unanimously accepted.
- Oath-Taking Ceremony (May 22, 2004):
- On May 22, 2004, Manmohan Singh was sworn in as the Prime Minister of the UPA government. Notable leaders who took the oath included NCP chief Sharad Pawar, RJD president Lalu Prasad, LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan, and others.
The UPA faced both successes and challenges during its tenure, including the Left’s withdrawal of support in 2008, disagreements with coalition partners, and a significant loss in the 2014 elections. Despite these ups and downs, the UPA left a lasting impact on Indian politics during its time in power.
The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government faced several challenges during its tenure. Here are some of the notable events:
- Departure of TRS and MDMK (2006-2007):
- In 2006, the TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samithi) left the UPA over its demand for a separate Telangana state.
- The MDMK (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) led by Vaiko also withdrew its support in 2007, accusing the government of not implementing most of the schemes in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP).
- Left Parties’ Withdrawal (2008):
- In 2008, the four Left parties (CPM, CPI, RSP, and Forward Bloc) withdrew their support due to their opposition to the India-US nuclear deal.
- The Left had strong reservations about the nuclear deal, and after years of negotiations, they finally decided to withdraw their support.
- Survival of No-Confidence Motion:
- With the withdrawal of Left support, the government was pushed into a minority. However, it managed to survive a no-confidence motion with the support of Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party.
- Electoral Realignments (2009):
- In 2009, the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) and the PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi) exited the UPA due to electoral realignments in their respective states.
- The PMK allied with the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu against the DMK-Congress, while the PDP quit as the Congress chose to ally with the National Conference to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir.
These events reflected the dynamic nature of coalition politics and the challenges faced by the UPA in maintaining a stable government. Despite these challenges, the UPA managed to navigate through various situations and complete its full term in office.
The UPA’s second term in power (2009-2014) saw several significant developments and challenges:
- 2009 Electoral Victory:
- The UPA, led by the Congress, made a surprising comeback in the 2009 elections, winning 206 seats, which was a much more comfortable position than in 2004. This victory was instrumental in securing a second term for the UPA.
- Reduced Allies:
- Compared to UPA-I, the number of allies reduced in UPA-II. Only five parties were sworn in with the Congress – Trinamool Congress, NCP, DMK, National Conference, and the Indian Union Muslim League.
- Left’s Absence and Support from Other Parties:
- The UPA did not have the support of the Left in UPA-II. Additionally, prominent leaders like Paswan and Lalu were not part of the government due to various political reasons. However, parties like RJD, SP, and BSP extended their support to the government.
- Support from Parties with No Ministerial Berths:
- Several parties, including AIMIM, VCK, Sikkim Democratic Front, and Bodoland People’s Front, were part of the UPA but did not have ministerial berths.
- Influence of Trinamool Congress:
- The Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, played a significant role in UPA-II. Banerjee had a strong influence and even dictated terms to the UPA. Her party’s withdrawal of support on various occasions had a notable impact on the government’s functioning.
- Resignation of Railway Minister:
- In 2012, Mamata Banerjee asked her party colleague Dinesh Trivedi to resign as Railway Minister after he increased passenger fares. She nominated party MP Mukul Roy as his successor. The Congress leadership had to comply with her demand.
- Exit of Trinamool Congress and DMK:
- In 2012, both the Trinamool Congress and the DMK quit the UPA. The DMK withdrew its five ministers in protest against the government’s stance on the proposed UN resolution against Sri Lanka on alleged human rights violations of Tamils. The Trinamool Congress pulled out its six ministers in protest against the government’s decision to implement FDI in multi-brand retail.
- JVM-P and AIMIM’s Exit:
- In the same year, Jharkhand’s JVM-P, with two MPs, withdrew its support due to the FDI issue. The AIMIM also quit the UPA.
These events demonstrate the complex dynamics and challenges faced by the UPA government during its second term in power.
FAQs
Q: What were the major achievements of the UPA government during 2004-2014?
A: The UPA government implemented several significant reforms during its tenure, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Right to Information Act (RTI), National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), and the National Food Security Act (NFSA). These initiatives aimed to address poverty, improve transparency, enhance healthcare access, and ensure food security for the marginalized sections of society.
Q: How did the UPA government handle economic challenges during its tenure?
A: The UPA government faced economic challenges such as high inflation, fiscal deficit, and external vulnerabilities. To address these issues, it introduced policies like the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM), increased public spending on social welfare schemes, and pursued economic liberalization measures. Despite facing criticism for some policy decisions, the UPA government’s efforts contributed to sustaining economic growth and reducing poverty levels.
Q: What were the controversies surrounding the UPA government during its rule?
A: The UPA government faced various controversies, including allegations of corruption in high-profile cases such as the 2G spectrum scam, coal allocation scam, and Commonwealth Games scandal. These controversies led to public outcry, opposition criticism, and demands for accountability. However, the UPA government also initiated investigative processes and took steps to address these issues, such as instituting inquiries and introducing anti-corruption legislation like the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act.
Q: How did the UPA government handle national security and foreign policy matters?
A: During its tenure, the UPA government focused on strengthening strategic partnerships with key countries, enhancing defense capabilities, and addressing security challenges like terrorism and border disputes. It pursued initiatives such as the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, which aimed to bolster India’s energy security and international standing. The UPA government also engaged in diplomatic efforts to foster regional stability and cooperation while addressing emerging global threats.
Q: What was the political landscape like during the UPA years, and how did it impact governance?
A: The UPA government operated within a coalition framework, comprising various political parties with diverse ideologies and interests. Managing coalition dynamics posed challenges in decision-making and policy implementation. Despite facing occasional coalition tensions, the UPA government managed to maintain stability and pursue its agenda through consensus-building and negotiation. However, coalition compulsions sometimes resulted in compromises and delayed reforms, impacting the pace of governance and policy execution.
In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.
For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here
For Daily Updates and Study Material:
Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS
- 1. Learn through Videos – here
- 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
- 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
- 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here
