Hardly two years has passed since the Eleventh General Elections when the announcement for the Twelfth General Elections was made.

The contest was largely among three groups: the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies, the Congress and its allies and the United Front consisting of the left parties, the Janata Dal and a number of small regional parties. Everyone promised a stable government if elected to power but the electorate did not give a clear verdict in favour of any group.

The BJP secured more seats than it did in 1996 and with its allies were in the lead was not enough to have a majority in the Lok Sabha. However, BJP with the support of its allies and some other parties supporting it from outside formed the Government but no one can say how long such a government will last. Once again the country appeared to be heading towards political instability at the Centre.

The final tally of seats was as follows: BJP and Allies: 262, Congress and Allies: 166, United Front: 96, and others: 20.