Includes bibliographical references and index.

Political processes in contemporary India: an introductory note 2. Political parties in India 3. Changing trends in party system in India: dominant party system and its breakdown 4. Political economy of state politics in India 5. Determinants of voting behaviour: caste, Class, gender and religion 6. Regional aspirations: the politics of accommodation through development 7. Religion and politics: minority and majority communalism 8. Nature of secularism in contemporary India: an appraisal of issues and trends 9. Caste in politics and the politicisation of caste 10. Dalit movement in India 11. Affirmative action in India: The case of Scheduled castes/tribes and other backward classes 12. Affirmative action and women in India 13. Reservation policy in India: a review and Rethinking 14. Indian democratic developmental state and welfare regimes glossary references.