Hung parliament is the situation when no party or pre-poll alliance is able to secure a majority. The total number of seats in Lok Sabha is 543 wherein a party or a coalition needs to secure one seat above the 50% mark, or 272 seats, in order to form the government.

If none of the

parties receives an absolute majority, the President invites the leader of the largest single party in the house to form the government. Else, the leader of the largest pre-poll alliance is

invited to form the

government.

However, the party

or the coalition will need to prove their majority during a vote of confidence on the floor of the House. If the party is unable to show a majority in the prescribed time period, the parliament is dissolved and fresh elections are held.

During a hung parliament, President’s rule may be imposed but only for a maximum period of six months.

India had its first hung parliament in

the 1989 general elections. While the Congress won 197 seats, Janata Dal got 143 seats and BJP, 85 seats. The Janata Dal formed the National Front government with support from the BJP and the

Left parties.