Describe how the centre-state relations have strengthened the spirit of federalism in India.

Constitution provides for division of powers between centre and the states. In reality, however, much depends on the ruling parties at the centre and the states. There have been different situations in centre-state relations as given below:
(l) In the beginning, the Central Government and the State Governments were controlled by one political party i.e., Congress. The Central Government dominated over the State government.
(ii) After 1967 when some opposition or different political parties came to power in the
States, the relations between centre and the states changed. The Central Government misused the powers under Article 356 of the Constitution and dismissed the governments led by the rival parties. This was against the spirit of federalism.
(iii) After 1990, coalition government was formed at the centre. Regional parties became powerful in the states. Since no single party was able to secure majority, different parties formed alliance such as NDA and UPA. Under such arrangement, culture of power sharing and respect for autonomy of state governments spread in India. The Supreme Court too made it difficult for the Central Government to dismiss the State Governments in an arbitrary manner. Thus, federal structure has been strengthened by the coming of coalition governments and Centre-State relations in the present situation.