2004 च्या सार्वत्रिक लोकसभा निवडणुकामध्ये काँग्रेसला 145 जागा मिळाल्या व त्यांच्या मित्रपक्षांना 74 जागा मिळाल्या. ही बेरीज देखील बहुमतापेक्षा कमी होती त्यावेळी कोणत्या राजकीय पक्षाच्या 'बाहेरुन' पाठिंब्याच्या जोरावर संयुक्त पुरोगामी आघाडीने अल्पमतातील सरकार स्थापन केले ?
(a) भारतीय कम्यूनिस्ट पक्ष
(b) मार्क्सवादी कम्यूनिस्ट पक्ष
(c) तृणमूल काँग्रेस
(d) राष्ट्रीय जनता दल
पर्यायी उत्तरे :

The correct answer is Option C ((a) and (b)).

Key Points:
• Formation of the UPA-I Government in 2004:
• In the 14th Lok Sabha elections (2004), the Indian National Congress won 145 seats and formed the post-poll coalition named the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
• RJD (24 seats), DMK, and others joined the government as coalition partners.
• The Left Front achieved its historic best performance with over 59 seats (CPI(M) with 43 seats, CPI with 10 seats, RSP, and Forward Bloc).
• The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and the Communist Party of India (CPI) extended crucial 'outside support' based on the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) to give UPA a stable majority.
• *Note*: The Left Front later withdrew this outside support in July 2008 over the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal.
• Hence, (a) and (b) is the correct answer.
• Key Takeaway: In 2004, the Left parties—CPI and CPI(M)—provided crucial outside support to the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government.