rved as a minister (1962-71) and chief minister (1971-73) in Andhra Pradesh state before his election (1972) to the Indian parliament. A member of the Congress-I party, Rao held (1980-89) various ministerial posts in the governments of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. After Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, Rao was chosen to lead the Congress party and became Prime Minister upon winning (1991) a plurality of seats in parliament. He moved decisively to reduce the government's economic role and encourage foreign investment, but was confronted with religious unrest incited by the Hindu religious parties.Current Politics in IndiaIn India, the Congress party, no longer in a majority, was expected to make a bid for power after withdrawing its support for the minority government. Then it agreed to continue to support the minority United Front government after the Front chose a new prime minister, 77-year-old Inder Kumar Gujral, a former foreign minister, to replace Deve Gowda, the former Prime Minister. The United Front is a group of separate small political parties. In India, the largest democracy in the world, there are more than 12 national political parties including communist and socialist parties.Bibliography/ReferenceFacklman, F. A. "Good government? Fairness? Or Vice Versa, Or Both..." Economist, 5/1/96.http://www.economist.comMastrull, Diane "An India That Still Says no.:" Economist 8/12/96.http://www.economist.comHolly, Susan "The Fever in India" Economist 12/12/96.http://www.economist.com"India, Prime Minister" Sound Clip, National Public Radio, 5/19/96.http://www.npr.org"Fragmented Parties in India Begin to Form Coalitions" Sound Clip, National Public Radio 5/12/96.http://www.npr.org"India's Prime Minister Resigns His Office" Sound Clip, National Public Radio 5/28/96.http://www.npr.org"Election Leaves India's Political Future In Doubt" Sound Clip, National Public Radio 5/13/96.http://www.npr.orgJohn-Thor Dahlbutg "India's Ex-Premier Faces C...
