Ideological Contradictions in an Era of Coalitions: Economic Policy Confusion in the Vajpayee Government

Abstract

It is claimed that there is consensus among contending political parties in India on the broad direction of economic policies followed since 1991. This claim cannot, however, be substantiated. There is confusion in the BJP-led NDA goverment on the thrust and tenor of economic policy issues as a result of deep-rooted ideological differences and also because of the compulsions of coalition politics. The ideological pulls on economic policy issues are taking place within political parties and their ideological fraternities rather than merely among them. Thus, instead of a genuine consensus what is often witnessed is an illusion of consensus.