Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the political transition in India after Nehru’s death.
2. Analyze how Congress split posed a challenge to its dominance.
3. Explore how Indira Gandhi overcame these challenges and restored Congress dominance.
4. Examine new policies and ideologies during Indira Gandhi’s leadership.

The passing of Jawaharlal Nehru in May 1964 left India in a moment of political uncertainty. Nehru had been the most prominent figure in Indian politics since independence, and his leadership was seen as integral to the stability of India’s fledgling democracy. There was widespread speculation about who would succeed him and whether the democratic experiment would survive.

Challenge of Political Succession

After Nehru’s death, the primary concern in Indian politics was: Who would succeed Nehru? However, an even deeper question emerged: What would happen to India after Nehru’s leadership? Many international observers doubted whether India would maintain its democratic system without a figure like Nehru at the helm. There were fears that, like other post-colonial nations, India might face disintegration or military intervention.

1. Succession to Shastri: The transition to Lal Bahadur Shastri as Nehru’s successor happened smoothly, proving the doubts of critics wrong. K. Kamraj, then the president of Congress, played a pivotal role in this succession by consulting various party leaders and reaching a consensus that Lal Bahadur Shastri was the ideal candidate.
2. Shastri’s Leadership: Shastri was a non-controversial figure known for his simplicity and commitment to principles. During his brief tenure (1964-1966), Shastri faced severe economic challenges such as failed monsoons and food shortages. His leadership during the 1965 war with Pakistan and his slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” symbolized the nation’s resilience.
3. Sudden End of Shastri’s Tenure: Shastri’s sudden demise in January 1966 after signing a peace agreement in Tashkent left the country facing another political transition.

Indira Gandhi’s Ascendancy

After Shastri’s sudden death, the Congress party faced its second leadership challenge within a short span. This time, the competition was between two prominent leaders: Morarji Desai and Indira Gandhi.

1. Choice of Indira Gandhi: The Congress party’s senior leaders decided to support Indira Gandhi, hoping that her relative inexperience would allow them to control her. However, the decision was not unanimous, and the contest was settled through a secret ballot, in which Indira Gandhi won with a significant majority of votes among Congress MPs.
2. Early Struggles: Upon becoming Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi faced numerous challenges, including a deteriorating economy and factionalism within the Congress. These difficulties gave her an opportunity to assert her authority and demonstrate her leadership capabilities.

Important Note: Indira Gandhi’s early political strategies aimed at consolidating her power and addressing the immediate crises facing the country.

Elections of 1967 and the Congress Challenge

The 1967 general elections marked a significant turning point in Indian political history. For the first time, the Congress Party’s dominance was seriously challenged both at the national and state levels.

Context of the 1967 Elections

The lead-up to the elections was marked by major economic and political changes in India. Indira Gandhi had been in office for less than a year, and the nation was still grappling with a grave economic crisis that involved widespread drought, food shortages, and currency devaluation.

1. Economic Crisis: The rupee devaluation in 1966 and rising inflation caused public unrest. Indira Gandhi’s government faced increasing protests over rising prices and unemployment.
2. Opposition Mobilization: In response to these economic conditions, the opposition parties began to organize and unite. The Communist and Socialist parties led movements demanding greater equality, while other opposition factions capitalized on the growing public dissatisfaction.
3. Non-Congressism: The opposition parties adopted a strategy called Non-Congressism, where disparate political groups with different ideologies united against the Congress. The socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia was a key advocate of this strategy, arguing that Congress rule was undemocratic and harmful to the poor.

Note: The term “Non-Congressism” referred to the coming together of various opposition parties with the sole aim of defeating the Congress in elections.

Electoral Verdict of 1967

The 1967 elections delivered a major blow to the Congress Party’s dominance:

1. Decline in Congress’ Power: While the Congress retained a majority in the Lok Sabha, it did so with its lowest-ever seat tally and vote share. The party lost its majority in several key states, including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
2. Emergence of Coalition Governments: In many states, the Congress’s defeat led to the formation of coalition governments. These coalitions were often composed of ideologically diverse parties, some of which had little in common except their opposition to the Congress.
3. Defections and “Aya Ram Gaya Ram”: One of the most notable features of this period was the widespread defections by Congress legislators, contributing to the fall of Congress governments in several states. The expression “Aya Ram, Gaya Ram” emerged to describe this trend of frequent floor-crossing by elected representatives.

Indira Gandhi’s Power Struggles

Following the 1967 elections, Indira Gandhi faced two key challenges: she had to reassert her independence from the Congress Syndicate (a group of senior party leaders) while also navigating a turbulent national political environment.

The Congress Syndicate

The Syndicate consisted of powerful Congress leaders who had played a crucial role in installing Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister. However, they expected her to follow their advice and act in accordance with their decisions.

1. Attempt to Sideline the Syndicate: Indira Gandhi began distancing herself from the Syndicate by appointing her trusted advisors and pursuing policies that would solidify her position as the central authority in both the party and the government.
2. Ten Point Programme: In 1967, Indira Gandhi launched a Ten Point Programme, which included measures like the nationalization of banks and insurance, land reforms, and the public distribution of food grains. These initiatives reflected a Leftward shift in policy, which contrasted with the Syndicate’s more conservative stance.

The Presidential Election of 1969

The rivalry between Indira Gandhi and the Syndicate came to a head during the 1969 Presidential election. After the death of President Zakir Hussain, the Congress Syndicate nominated N. Sanjeeva Reddy as the party’s candidate. However, Indira Gandhi chose to back V.V. Giri as an independent candidate.

1. Conscience Vote: Indira Gandhi called for a “conscience vote”, allowing Congress MPs to vote freely rather than following the party’s official line. This led to a major political showdown between Indira Gandhi and the Syndicate, with V.V. Giri emerging victorious.
2. Split in Congress: Following Giri’s election, the Congress formally split into two factions: the Congress (Organisation) led by the Syndicate, and Congress (Requisitionists) led by Indira Gandhi. This split marked a fundamental shift in Indian politics.

Table – Comparison of Old Congress vs New Congress (1969 Split):

Restoration of Congress under Indira Gandhi

The 1971 elections were a watershed moment in Indian political history. Despite the split in the Congress, Indira Gandhi managed to rally support around her leadership and her Garibi Hatao (Remove Poverty) campaign.

The 1971 Elections

The opposition parties formed the Grand Alliance, which included the Jana Sangh, Swatantra Party, and other non-Congress factions. Despite this, the election results were a resounding victory for Indira Gandhi’s Congress(R).

1. Victory for Congress(R): Indira Gandhi’s faction won 352 seats in the Lok Sabha, while the Grand Alliance failed to make a significant impact. Her message of Garibi Hatao resonated with the masses, particularly the poor, minorities, and disadvantaged communities.
2. Indira’s Dominance: The results solidified Indira Gandhi’s position as the undisputed leader of India. Following the elections, her government undertook several major reforms, including the abolition of the privy purses and the nationalization of major banks.

Important Note: Indira Gandhi’s leadership style in the 1970s was characterized by strong centralization of power, populist policies, and a focus on social justice.

Conclusion and Legacy

Indira Gandhi successfully restored

the Congress’s dominant position in Indian politics, but it was a new kind of Congress that emerged from the political challenges of the late 1960s. The party became more centralized and reliant on Indira Gandhi’s leadership. The space for internal debate within the Congress was reduced, and opposition parties found it harder to challenge the Congress’s electoral dominance.

MCQ: Which strategy played a key role in Indira Gandhi’s electoral success in 1971?

1. The formation of the Grand Alliance.
2. The slogan “Garibi Hatao”.
3. Internal party loyalty.
   Answer: 2. The slogan “Garibi Hatao”.

The Congress under Indira Gandhi marked a period of centralization of power, populist policies, and a shift toward socialist-oriented governance. Her ability to overcome internal and external challenges defined Indian politics for much of the 1970s.