Figuring India

364 India National Congress

12 Samyukta (United) Socialist Party, nearest rival

3 Bharatiya Jan Sangh (BJS)

1957

494 total seats

371 Congress

27 Communist Party of India (CPI), biggest Opposition

1962 Nehru becomes PM for third successive term

361 Congress

29 CPI

18 Swatantra Party

14 BJS

1967 Under Indira Gandhi, Cong retains power but suffers setbacks

520 total seats

283 Congress

44 Swatantra Party

35 BJS

1971 Cong emerges stronger on ‘‘garibi hatao’’ platform

518 total seats

342 Congress

1977 19-month Emergency takes toll on Cong

542 total seats

295 Janata Party

154 Congress

1984 Rajiv Gandhi rides to power on sympathy wave

542 total seats

415 Congress

2 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), successor to BJS

1989 Hung Parliament, National Front coalition forms Govt

197 Congress

142 Janata Dal

86 BJP

1991 Cong returns to power in mid-term polls, after Rajiv Gandhi is assassinated at an election rally

543 total seats

232 Congress

120 BJP

1996 Cong’s worst-ever defeat. After 12-day minority BJP Govt, Cong supports two United Front Govts led by H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujral

140 Congress

161 BJP

1998 Mid-term polls see another fragmented Parliament. Vajpayee forms minority Govt but loses majority after 13 months

182 BJP

1999

537 total seats

296 BJP and allies

134 Congress and allies

42 Left parties