The correct option is (b).
Explanation
A coalition government is a parliamentary arrangement where multiple political parties cooperate to form a government. This typically occurs when no single party achieves an absolute majority in the legislature (often referred to as a "hung parliament").- Statement 1 is Incorrect: A coalition government is formed specifically when no single party secures a clear majority. If a single party obtains a clear majority, it forms a single-party government without the need for a coalition.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The core characteristic of a coalition government is the collaboration of different political parties. These parties join together to secure a majority in the house and govern based on a shared agenda or a Common Minimum Programme.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: A coalition is not a permanent alliance; it is a dynamic political arrangement that lasts only as long as the partners continue their support. Furthermore, the Constitution of India does not explicitly mandate or define a "Coalition Government." The Constitution provides for a Council of Ministers collectively responsible to the House, but the coalition format is a political outcome of elections, not a constitutional obligation.
Key Takeaway: Coalition governments are political arrangements necessitated by a fractured electoral mandate involving power-sharing among multiple parties, and they are not explicitly defined or mandated by the Constitution.