What is a Coalition Government? (Class 10 Civics)

In a parliamentary democracy (like the Lok Sabha), a political party must win a strict 'Majority' (more than 50% of the seats, which is 272+ seats in India) to form the government.

Definition: When no single political party is able to win a clear majority on its own, two or more separate political parties temporarily join hands, combine their seats to cross the majority mark, and form the government together. This joint government is called a Coalition Government.

Parties in a coalition agree on a 'Common Minimum Programme' (a shared list of promises). Because multiple parties helped form the government, the Prime Minister cannot take all the power. They must share power by giving important Cabinet Minister positions (like Finance, Railways, or Defense) to the leaders of the smaller partner parties.

Famous Indian Examples:

• NDA (National Democratic Alliance): A coalition led by the BJP.
• UPA (United Progressive Alliance): A coalition led by the Congress.

Advantages (Pros):

1. Better Representation: It prevents a single party from becoming a dictatorship. The government is forced to listen to regional parties, ensuring that different states and communities get a voice in national decisions.

Disadvantages (Cons):

1. Instability: The government is constantly in danger of collapsing. If a small partner party gets angry and 'withdraws its support' (takes its MPs away), the coalition falls below the 272 mark, and the Prime Minister must resign immediately.
2. Slow Decision Making: Because the Prime Minister has to constantly negotiate and keep 5 different parties happy, passing bold or tough new laws becomes extremely difficult and slow.