ELECTORAL POLITICS NOTES
Q. Describe the events and outcomes of the 1987 Haryana State Assembly
elections.
The 1987 Haryana State Assembly elections brought a major political change in the state.
Haryana had been ruled by the Congress Party-led government since 1982. During this
period, Chaudhary Devi Lal, an opposition leader, started a movement called Navya Yudh
(Struggle for Justice) and founded a new political party named Lok Dal.
Before the elections, Lok Dal joined with other opposition parties to form a front against the
Congress Party. During his election campaign, Devi Lal promised that if his party came to
power, his government would waive the loans of farmers and small businessmen as its first
action.
The people were unhappy with the existing Congress government and were influenced by
Devi Lal’s promise. As a result, they voted overwhelmingly in favour of Lok Dal and its allies.
Lok Dal and its partners won 76 out of 90 seats, with Lok Dal alone securing 60 seats, thus
gaining a clear majority. The Congress Party could win only five seats.
After the results were declared, the sitting Chief Minister resigned, and the newly elected
MLAs of Lok Dal chose Chaudhary Devi Lal as their leader. The Governor invited him to form
the government, and three days later, he became the Chief Minister of Haryana.
As soon as he took office, his government issued an order waiving the outstanding loans of
small farmers, agricultural labourers, and small businessmen, fulfilling his main election
promise. His party ruled the state for four years, but in the 1991 elections, Lok Dal lost public
support, and the Congress Party returned to power.
Q. Why do we need elections in a democracy?
Elections are essential in a democracy because they allow people to choose their
representatives who will make decisions on their behalf. In most democratic countries,
elections are held regularly so that citizens can select their leaders and change them if they
are not satisfied with their performance.
In theory, people could rule directly by sitting together and taking all decisions, but this is not
possible in large communities because not everyone has the time or knowledge to decide on
every issue. Therefore, people elect representatives to make decisions for them.
Other methods of choosing representatives, such as selecting them based on age,
experience, or education, cannot be called democratic because people would have no
, control over whether they like or dislike those representatives. Elections provide a fair
mechanism through which citizens can show their support or disapproval.
Thus, elections ensure that the government rules according to the wishes of the people and
that leaders can be replaced peacefully when citizens are not satisfied.
In an election, voters make several choices:
They choose who will make laws for them,
They choose who will form the government and take major decisions, and
They choose the political party whose policies and ideas will guide the government.
Therefore, elections are the foundation of a representative democracy, as they keep the
power in the hands of the people.
Q. What makes an election democratic?
Elections can be held in many ways, but not all elections are democratic. While all
democratic countries hold elections, even some non-democratic countries conduct
elections that cannot truly be called democratic. To understand what makes an election
democratic, certain minimum conditions must be met.
1. Equal Right to Vote:
Everyone should have the right to choose their representative.
Each person should have one vote, and every vote must carry equal value.
2. Real Choice:
There must be something to choose from.
Different political parties and candidates should be free to contest the elections.
3. Regular Elections:
Elections must be held at regular intervals, usually after a few years, so that people can
change their representatives if they wish.
4. People’s Choice Must Win:
The candidate or party that is preferred by the majority of people should be declared
the winner.
5. Free and Fair Process:
Elections must be conducted in a free and fair manner, where people can vote without
fear or pressure and choose as they truly wish.
Although these conditions may seem simple, there are many countries where they are not
fulfilled, and such elections cannot be called democratic.
Therefore, an election is democratic only when it gives equal opportunity, real choice,
fairness, and regular participation to the people.
Q1. What are the disadvantages of political competition?
Political competition is an important part of elections, but it also has several drawbacks.
Q. Describe the events and outcomes of the 1987 Haryana State Assembly
elections.
The 1987 Haryana State Assembly elections brought a major political change in the state.
Haryana had been ruled by the Congress Party-led government since 1982. During this
period, Chaudhary Devi Lal, an opposition leader, started a movement called Navya Yudh
(Struggle for Justice) and founded a new political party named Lok Dal.
Before the elections, Lok Dal joined with other opposition parties to form a front against the
Congress Party. During his election campaign, Devi Lal promised that if his party came to
power, his government would waive the loans of farmers and small businessmen as its first
action.
The people were unhappy with the existing Congress government and were influenced by
Devi Lal’s promise. As a result, they voted overwhelmingly in favour of Lok Dal and its allies.
Lok Dal and its partners won 76 out of 90 seats, with Lok Dal alone securing 60 seats, thus
gaining a clear majority. The Congress Party could win only five seats.
After the results were declared, the sitting Chief Minister resigned, and the newly elected
MLAs of Lok Dal chose Chaudhary Devi Lal as their leader. The Governor invited him to form
the government, and three days later, he became the Chief Minister of Haryana.
As soon as he took office, his government issued an order waiving the outstanding loans of
small farmers, agricultural labourers, and small businessmen, fulfilling his main election
promise. His party ruled the state for four years, but in the 1991 elections, Lok Dal lost public
support, and the Congress Party returned to power.
Q. Why do we need elections in a democracy?
Elections are essential in a democracy because they allow people to choose their
representatives who will make decisions on their behalf. In most democratic countries,
elections are held regularly so that citizens can select their leaders and change them if they
are not satisfied with their performance.
In theory, people could rule directly by sitting together and taking all decisions, but this is not
possible in large communities because not everyone has the time or knowledge to decide on
every issue. Therefore, people elect representatives to make decisions for them.
Other methods of choosing representatives, such as selecting them based on age,
experience, or education, cannot be called democratic because people would have no
, control over whether they like or dislike those representatives. Elections provide a fair
mechanism through which citizens can show their support or disapproval.
Thus, elections ensure that the government rules according to the wishes of the people and
that leaders can be replaced peacefully when citizens are not satisfied.
In an election, voters make several choices:
They choose who will make laws for them,
They choose who will form the government and take major decisions, and
They choose the political party whose policies and ideas will guide the government.
Therefore, elections are the foundation of a representative democracy, as they keep the
power in the hands of the people.
Q. What makes an election democratic?
Elections can be held in many ways, but not all elections are democratic. While all
democratic countries hold elections, even some non-democratic countries conduct
elections that cannot truly be called democratic. To understand what makes an election
democratic, certain minimum conditions must be met.
1. Equal Right to Vote:
Everyone should have the right to choose their representative.
Each person should have one vote, and every vote must carry equal value.
2. Real Choice:
There must be something to choose from.
Different political parties and candidates should be free to contest the elections.
3. Regular Elections:
Elections must be held at regular intervals, usually after a few years, so that people can
change their representatives if they wish.
4. People’s Choice Must Win:
The candidate or party that is preferred by the majority of people should be declared
the winner.
5. Free and Fair Process:
Elections must be conducted in a free and fair manner, where people can vote without
fear or pressure and choose as they truly wish.
Although these conditions may seem simple, there are many countries where they are not
fulfilled, and such elections cannot be called democratic.
Therefore, an election is democratic only when it gives equal opportunity, real choice,
fairness, and regular participation to the people.
Q1. What are the disadvantages of political competition?
Political competition is an important part of elections, but it also has several drawbacks.
