1999 Indian general election

The 1999 Indian general election was held in four phases from September 5 to October 6, 1999, to elect the 12th Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's Parliament. This election followed the pivotal political events of 1998, including the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and subsequent instability that necessitated the polling. It marked the first time in India’s history that elections were conducted partially during a period of heightened security due to the Kargil conflict. The result solidified the BJP's position as the dominant party, securing a significant majority with 182 seats, while the Congress party, led by Sonia Gandhi, faced a setback, obtaining 114 seats. The elections underscored the complexities of India's multi-party system and were characterized by issues of national security, economic reforms, and social justice.