The consensus that emerged among most political parties in India in spite of severe competition and conflicts:
1. First agreement of new economic policies: While many groups are opposed to the new economic policies, most political parties are in support of the new economic policies. Most parties believe that these policies would lead the country to prosperity and a status of economic power in the world.
2. Second, acceptance of the political and social claims of the backward castes – political parties have recognized that the social and political claims of the backward castes need to be accepted. As a result, all political parties now support reservation of seats for the backward classes in the education and employment. Political parties are also willing to ensure that the OBCs get adequate share of power.
3. Third, acceptance of the role of state level parties in governance of the country – the distinction between state level and national level parties is fast becoming less important. State level parties are sharing power at the national level and have played a central role in the country’s politics of last twenty years or so.
Emphasis on pragmatic considerations rather than ideological positions and political alliances without political agreement – coalition politics has shifted the focus of political parties from ideological differences to power sharing arrangements.
