Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Over the last three decades, the number and strength of State (regional) parties has expanded significantly, making the Parliament of India more politically diverse. No single national party was able to secure a majority in the Lok Sabha on its own (until 2014), which compelled national parties to form alliances with State parties. Since 1996, nearly every State party has had an opportunity to be part of a national-level coalition government. This gave State parties greater political relevance at the Centre, ensuring that regional interests were represented, thereby strengthening both federalism and democracy in India.

Source: Political Parties, Chapter 4 (State parties section)

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• The examiner expects three clear points: (1) growth in number/strength of State parties → diverse Parliament, (2) no single national party majority → coalition compulsion, (3) State parties in coalition governments → federalism and democracy strengthened.
• Quote or closely paraphrase the textbook line "Since 1996, nearly every one of the State parties has got an opportunity…" — it is a direct scoring point.
• Do not confuse "regional ideology" with "State party" classification; the text notes they need not be regional in outlook.