Kerala JD(S) Unit Merges with Indian Socialist Janata Dal
Kerala's Janata Dal (Secular) unit merges with the Indian Socialist Janata Dal (ISJD).
Photo by Joseph LEE
Key Facts
Kerala JD(S) merged with: Indian Socialist Janata Dal (ISJD)
Reason: Differences with national leadership
Kerala unit: Rejected alliance with BJP
ISJD: Will remain ally of Left Democratic Front
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Polity and Governance - Political parties and their role
Federalism and regionalism in Indian politics
Potential questions on party system evolution and coalition politics
Visual Insights
Kerala Political Landscape: JD(S) Merger
Map showing Kerala, where the JD(S) unit merged with the Indian Socialist Janata Dal (ISJD).
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More Information
Background
The Janata Dal (JD) has a complex and fragmented history in Indian politics. It emerged from the Janata Party, which was formed in 1977 as an alliance of several parties opposed to the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi. The Janata Party briefly held power but soon disintegrated due to internal conflicts.
Subsequently, various factions emerged, including the Janata Dal, which gained prominence under leaders like V.P. Singh in the late 1980s. The Janata Dal itself later splintered into multiple regional parties, including the Janata Dal (Secular) led by H.D.
Deve Gowda and the Janata Dal (United) led by Nitish Kumar. These parties have played significant roles in coalition governments at the national and state levels, often representing regional interests and social justice agendas. The repeated mergers and splits reflect the fluid nature of Indian party politics and the challenges of maintaining unity within ideologically diverse coalitions.
Latest Developments
In recent years, regional political parties in India have faced increasing pressure due to the dominance of national parties like the BJP and the Congress. This has led to attempts at consolidation and alliance-building among smaller parties to maintain their relevance. The merger of the Kerala JD(S) unit with the ISJD is part of this broader trend.
Furthermore, the ideological differences within these parties, particularly regarding alliances with national parties, have become more pronounced. The upcoming Lok Sabha election in 2024 is likely to see further realignments and negotiations among regional parties as they seek to maximize their representation and influence in the national government. The future of these parties will depend on their ability to adapt to the changing political landscape and address the specific needs and concerns of their regional constituencies.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)]: 1. It was formed as a splinter group of the Janata Party. 2. H.D. Deve Gowda served as the Prime Minister of India representing the JD(S). 3. The party primarily focuses on the states of Karnataka and Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
All the statements are correct. The JD(S) emerged from the Janata Party, H.D. Deve Gowda was a Prime Minister from the party, and it has a strong presence in Karnataka and Kerala.
2. Which of the following factors contributed to the split and subsequent merger of the Kerala unit of the Janata Dal (Secular)?
- A.Disagreement over economic policies within the state government.
- B.Differences in opinion regarding alliances with national political parties.
- C.Personal conflicts between key leaders within the state unit.
- D.Pressure from the Election Commission of India.
Show Answer
Answer: B
The primary reason for the split and merger was the disagreement between the state and national leadership regarding alliances with national parties, particularly the BJP.
3. Consider the following statements: Assertion (A): Regional political parties often play a crucial role in forming coalition governments at the national level in India. Reason (R): These parties represent specific regional interests and can influence policy decisions. In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true but R is false
- D.A is false but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and the reason are correct, and the reason correctly explains why regional parties are important in coalition governments.