The term coalition is derived from the Latin words ‘Co’ which means together and ‘alescere’ which means to grow up. It is an act of coalescing or uniting into one body or a union of parties. When different political forces join together, coalition is formed. Coalition politics is a system of governance by a group of political parties or by several political parties. A coalition Government means the formation of a Government by a Group or alliance of political parties.

Features:

1. Coalition is the product of multiparty system. 

2. It is a democratic arrangement. 

3. It challenges single-party dominance and in which smaller parties come together to defeat bigger ones in elections and snatch power. 

4. Coalition may be a pre-poll arrange mentor a post-poll arrangement. 

5. Alliance partners prefer to have a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) for governance. 

6. During national emergency or crisis, a national Government is formed through coalition. 

7. Coalition deteriorates the supreme status of the Prime Minister who heads the Government. 

8. A person agreeable not only to the big party but also to the alliance partners becomes the leader of the house and naturally heads the Government. 

9. Coalition partners are always free to cease their relations and fight on one’s own identity.

10. Around 70 coalitions have been formed in our country since 1937, and it is said that coalitions are politically unstable.