Part I Theoretical Concerns 1
Introduction. Coalition politics, religious nationalism and public policy : a theoretical examination 3
1: The BJP coalition : partisanship and power-sharing in government 13
2: The shapes of Hindu nationalism 36
3: In part, a myth : the BJP's organisational strength 55
Part II Domestic Governance 75
4: The NDA and the politics of 'minorities' in India 77
5: Hindu nationalists and federal structures in an era of regionalism 97
6: Social justice and empowerment of the weaker sections and gender rights 116
7: Managing the anti-corruption rhetoric : the National Democratic Alliance, transparency and corruption 136
8: Indian education policy under the NDA government 153
Part External Factors 171
9: The NDA and the politics of economic reform 173
10: The NDA and Indian foreign policy 193
11: The NDA and national security 212
12: The BJP and the 2004 general election : dimensions, causes and implications of an unexpected defeat 237
13: Hindutva's march halted? : choices for the BJP after the 2004 defeat 254
Bibliography 264
Index 289