HUNG PARLIAMENT

HUNG PARLIAMENT

Subject: Polity

Context: Former President Pranab Mukherjee stated that he was ready to break the convention and invite a Congress-led coalition to form a government if the 2014 Lok Sabha election had thrown up a hung Parliament.

Concept:

• Hung Parliament refers to a Parliament wherein no party has a working majority.
• A Hung Parliament occurs when neither of the parties has gained an outright majority and the Parliament is equally balanced. Hence, no party can automatically assume control over the executive.
• A Hung Parliament is not a time-specific phenomenon. Even when a party or a pre-electoral alliance has gained the majority and formed the government, a reduction in the membership of this party of alliance can cause a Hung Parliament.

Role of the President

• When the situation of Hung Parliament arises, the constitutional institution of the President is empowered to take certain steps, making the role of the President pivotal in such a situation.
• In India, fresh elections are conducted when none of the parties are capable of forming the government. Until then, the President’s rule is applied.
• However, before bringing President rule, the President in case of Lok Sabha elections and the Governor of the State in case of State legislatures gives the opportunity to the parties to form a coalition government so that fresh elections can be avoided.
• The sarkaria commission on centre – state relations has observed that:

First preference should be given to a pre-electoral alliance that has attained a majority.

The second preference should be given to the single largest party which is not having a majority.

The third preference should be given to the post-electoral alliance with a majority.

Last preference should be given to a post-electoral alliance where some partners join the government while others provide outside support.