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The Indian political landscape is a diverse and dynamic sphere, showcasing a spectrum of political alliances and parties. One of the most notable coalitions that has left a significant imprint on Indian politics is the United Progressive Alliance, better known as UPA. In this blog, we will delve into what the UPA is, UPA full form, its history, rise, sub-alliances, and memberships.
What is UPA?
The United Progressive Alliance (UPA)is a coalition of center-left political parties in India. The coalition was first formed in 2004, after the Indian general election, with the support of the Indian National Congress party. The UPA has been in power since 2004 and was re-elected during the 2014 Indian general election. The UPA’s official name is the United Progressive Alliance, but it is commonly referred to as the UPA government.
History of United Progressive Alliance
The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is a coalition of center-left political parties in India. It came into being following the 2004 general elections when no party was able to secure a clear majority. At that time, the political landscape of India was highly fragmented, and a new era of coalition politics had begun.
The UPA was established under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, the president of the Indian National Congress (INC). The INC, which had dominated Indian politics for much of the post-independence era, had experienced a decline in power in the late 1980s and 1990s. However, under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership, the party sought to build alliances with other like-minded parties, leading to the formation of the UPA.
In the 2004 general elections, the UPA, albeit not winning a majority, emerged as the largest political grouping. President APJ Abdul Kalam invited the UPA to form the government, and Dr. Manmohan Singh, a respected economist and senior Congress leader, was appointed as the Prime Minister. The UPA government was supported from the outside by the Left Front.
The UPA went on to rule India from 2004 to 2014, implementing several key policy initiatives including the Right to Information Act, the National Rural Health Mission, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, and the Right to Education Act.
However, the UPA government also faced numerous allegations of corruption, leading to public disaffection and electoral setbacks. In the 2014 general elections, the UPA was decisively defeated by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), marking the end of a decade of UPA rule.
Despite the electoral setbacks, the UPA continues to be a significant player in Indian politics, with the INC as its principal constituent. The alliance represents a broad spectrum of social, economic, and regional interests, and it continues to have a significant influence on India’s diverse and multi-party political landscape.
The Rise of UPA
The UPA’s rise to prominence was swift and decisive. During the 2004 general elections, the alliance won a remarkable victory, leading to the appointment of Dr. Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister of India. This marked the beginning of the UPA’s ten-year rule in the central government, characterized by several key policy initiatives in sectors such as education, healthcare, and rural development.
Sub-Alliances within the UPA
The UPA’s strength lies in its diverse and broad-based support. Apart from the Indian National Congress, which is the main party in the coalition, the UPA includes several regional and national parties. These sub-alliances have played a crucial role in strengthening the UPA’s electoral prospects, often providing the coalition with the necessary support in crucial regions. Notable among these are the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), among others.
UPA Memberships
As of 2023, the United Progressive Alliance consists of several members, with the Indian National Congress forming the coalition’s backbone. Other notable parties include the Nationalist Congress Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, and Indian Union Muslim League. The alliance’s strength lies in its collective ideology of secularism, social justice, and economic progress, which continues to guide its political trajectory.
| Party Name | State of Origin |
|---|---|
| Indian National Congress (INC) | Nationwide |
| Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) | Maharashtra |
| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) | Tamil Nadu |
| Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) | Bihar |
| Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) | Jharkhand |
| Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) | Kerala |
| Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) | West Bengal |
| Kerala Congress (Mani) | Kerala |
United Progressive Alliance vs. NDA
The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition of center-left political parties in India. It was formed in 2004, after the general elections, with the support of the Indian National Congress (INC), the largest party in the coalition. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is a coalition of center-right political parties in India. It was formed in 1998, after the general elections, with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the largest party in the coalition.
| Aspects | United Progressive Alliance (UPA) | National Democratic Alliance (NDA) |
|---|---|---|
| Founding Year | 2004 | 1998 |
| Primary Ideology | Centre-left | Centre-right |
| Dominant Party | Indian National Congress (INC) | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Notable Allies | Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) | Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) |
| Political Stance | Secularism, social justice, and economic progress | Nationalism, Hindutva, free market principles |
| Significant Tenure | 2004-2014 | 1998-2004, 2014-Present (as of 2021) |
| Significant Achievements | Right to Information Act, National Rural Health Mission, Right to Education Act | Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Goods and Services Tax (GST), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana |
| Current Status | In opposition at the national level | Ruling at the national level |
Party Eliminations of United Progressive Alliance
In the complex arena of Indian politics, coalition memberships can frequently change based on various factors such as regional considerations, policy disagreements, political ambitions, and electoral strategies. Here are some significant parties that were once part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) but later parted ways:
- Trinamool Congress (TMC): Led by Mamata Banerjee, TMC was once a part of the UPA. However, citing issues with key policy decisions, the TMC withdrew its support in 2012.
- Samajwadi Party (SP): The Samajwadi Party, a significant political force in Uttar Pradesh, supported the UPA government from outside but later distanced itself due to various disagreements.
- Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP): The BSP, another influential party in Uttar Pradesh, initially supported the UPA government from outside but later pulled its support.
- Left Front: The Left Front, comprising parties like the Communist Party of India (Marxist), supported the UPA-I government from outside but withdrew its support in 2008 over the Indo-US nuclear deal.
- Janata Dal (Secular): Janata Dal (Secular) was a part of the UPA but later moved away due to various political circumstances.
- Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK): The PMK, a party based in Tamil Nadu, was a part of the UPA but left the alliance over policy and electoral disagreements.
Brief on Indian National Congress (INC)
The Indian National Congress (INC) is a political party in India. It is one of the two major political parties in India, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The INC is headquartered at 24 Akbar Road, New Delhi.
The party was founded in 1885 by Indian nationalists, most of whom belonged to the upper class of the Hindu society. The party dominated Indian politics for much of the 20th century, and it is one of the world’s oldest active political parties.
Conclusion
To sum up, the UPA represents a significant chapter in India’s political history. Its formation, rise, and the successful forging of sub-alliances have underscored the importance of coalition politics in India’s diverse and multi-party democracy. As the UPA continues to evolve and adapt to India’s changing political landscape, its role as a key player in India’s democracy remains undeniable.
Also read: CBI Full Form
Frequently Asked Questions on UPA
The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is a coalition of centre-left political parties in India, led by the Indian National Congress (INC).
The United Progressive Alliance was formed post the 2004 general elections in India, when no single party won a clear majority.
Dr. Manmohan Singh served as the Prime Minister of India during the UPA rule, which spanned from 2004 to 2014.
The UPA consists of several parties including the Indian National Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, and Indian Union Muslim League.
Sub-alliances play a crucial role in strengthening the UPA's electoral prospects, often providing necessary support in key regions and ensuring broad-based representation.
The UPA's collective ideology revolves around secularism, social justice, and economic progress.
The UPA's formation, rise, and successful establishment of sub-alliances highlight the importance of coalition politics in India's diverse and multi-party democracy.
The formation of the UPA was led by Sonia Gandhi of the Indian National Congress post the 2004 general elections. What is the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)?
When was the United Progressive Alliance formed?
Who was the Prime Minister during the UPA rule?
Which political parties are part of the UPA?
What role do sub-alliances play in the UPA?
What are the core ideologies of the UPA?
Why is the UPA significant in India's political history?
Who led the formation of the UPA?
