1998 elections in India

The 1998 Indian general elections, held in two phases on February 24 and March 3, marked a significant political event in the country, resulting in the formation of the 12th Lok Sabha. The elections witnessed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerging as the dominant force, garnering 182 out of 543 seats and securing the position to form the government under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This election was pivotal as it underscored the rise of the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which included several coalition partners. The elections followed a tumultuous period characterized by political instability and the previous government's inability to maintain a majority, leading to a reevaluation of party dynamics within India's multiparty system.