OPDS (One Party Dominance System) is a system where multiple political parties exist and contest elections, but only one party forms the government and thus dominates the political and party system.
This happens when the dominating party is the only one that contests the number of seats required to form the government while all other parties are minor and contest only few seats, or when the dominating party commands the support of an overwhelming number of voters, thus securing an easy majority for itself while other parties gain only few votes.
Multi Party System exists when multiple political parties enjoy influence over government policies. This system is found in countries with a heterogeneous populations where the multiple divisions in society lead to establishment of multiple political parties. Contemporary India is an example of a Multi Party System.
The OPDS existed in India in the years following independence. At that time (First General Election 1951-52) Indian National Congress won the elections even though other political parties contested the elections.
The turning point in India's party system cam in the 1977 General election, when for the first time, a non-Congress government assumed power at the Center. The Emergency resulted in electoral loss for the Congress party and for the first time in its electoral history, the Indian National Congress was forced to contest as part of a coalition. The Janata Party's win had ended the thirty year OPDS by the Congress.
The history of OPDS in India is effectively the history of Indian National Congress's gains and losses in successive elections. It also traces the evolution of the Indian Party system from OPDS to a Multiparty System (MPS).
OPDS in India effectively existed only from 1947 till 1977.
This happens when the dominating party is the only one that contests the number of seats required to form the government while all other parties are minor and contest only few seats, or when the dominating party commands the support of an overwhelming number of voters, thus securing an easy majority for itself while other parties gain only few votes.
Multi Party System exists when multiple political parties enjoy influence over government policies. This system is found in countries with a heterogeneous populations where the multiple divisions in society lead to establishment of multiple political parties. Contemporary India is an example of a Multi Party System.
The OPDS existed in India in the years following independence. At that time (First General Election 1951-52) Indian National Congress won the elections even though other political parties contested the elections.
The turning point in India's party system cam in the 1977 General election, when for the first time, a non-Congress government assumed power at the Center. The Emergency resulted in electoral loss for the Congress party and for the first time in its electoral history, the Indian National Congress was forced to contest as part of a coalition. The Janata Party's win had ended the thirty year OPDS by the Congress.
The history of OPDS in India is effectively the history of Indian National Congress's gains and losses in successive elections. It also traces the evolution of the Indian Party system from OPDS to a Multiparty System (MPS).
OPDS in India effectively existed only from 1947 till 1977.
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