History
The announcement of the National Democratic Alliance in May 1998 signaled the first step in the building of the coalition, which formed the government in 1998, but collapsed within a year because the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), a state political party in the states of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, pulled out. It proceeded to win the 1999 elections with a greater majority and new alliances. The NDA governed under A.B Vajpayee for a full five years, and hence, and was widely expected to win the 2004 elections. However, post-elections, a coalition led by the main opposition Congress party staked a claim to form the government with support from non-aligned parties. The formation of the United Progressive Alliance, the Congress-led coalition, was inspired by the structure of the NDA, with one major national party at the helm and several regional parties participating.
Read more about this topic: National Democratic Alliance (India)
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