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Challenges to and Restoration of Congress

Challenges To And Restoration Of The Congress System

The period following the initial era of Congress dominance saw the Congress system facing significant challenges**, leading to a decline in its absolute power and a subsequent effort to restore** its electoral fortunes and political relevance.

These challenges tested the party's internal cohesion, its ability to adapt to changing political landscapes, and its connection with the electorate.


Challenge Of Political Succession

After the death of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, the Congress party faced a critical challenge in ensuring a smooth and stable political succession, which had a profound impact on its leadership and direction.

From Nehru To Shastri

Following Nehru's death, there was uncertainty about his successor. However, a consensus emerged:

  • Lal Bahadur Shastri: A consensus candidate, Shastri, became the Prime Minister. He was seen as a leader who could maintain continuity and manage the party's various factions.
  • Continuity: Shastri largely continued Nehru's policies, including Non-Alignment and a mixed economy, but also showed decisive leadership, particularly during the 1965 India-Pakistan War ("Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan").

From Shastri To Indira Gandhi

The sudden death of Lal Bahadur Shastri in Tashkent in January 1966 created another succession crisis:

  • Morarji Desai vs. Indira Gandhi: The main contenders were Morarji Desai, a strong proponent of socialist policies and then Deputy Prime Minister, and Indira Gandhi, Nehru's daughter and a prominent leader.
  • Indira Gandhi's Victory: Indira Gandhi emerged victorious, partly due to the support she garnered from Congress 'bosses' (the Syndicate), a group of powerful party leaders from different states. This marked a significant shift in the party's power dynamics.

These transitions highlighted the internal power struggles within the Congress party and the growing importance of state-level leaders.


Fourth General Elections, 1967

The Fourth General Elections of 1967** marked a significant turning point in Indian politics, often described as a political earthquake, as it challenged the Congress party's overwhelming dominance.

Context Of The Elections

The elections were held in a context of growing discontent:

  • Economic Slowdown: The country faced economic difficulties, including a recession, a drought in 1966, and devaluation of the rupee.
  • Wars: The 1962 war with China and the 1965 war with Pakistan had exposed military weaknesses and strained the economy.
  • Death of Leaders: The deaths of Nehru and Shastri had weakened the Congress's charismatic leadership.
  • Growing Opposition: Various opposition parties had gained strength and organizational capacity.

Non-Congressism

A significant feature of the 1967 elections was the rise of the concept of "Non-Congressism"**. This was an umbrella strategy adopted by various opposition parties (ranging from the socialist PSP and the communist parties to the right-wing Jana Sangh and the Swatantra Party) to unite against the Congress.

  • Goal: The primary aim was to defeat the Congress party, even if it meant forming alliances with parties holding ideologically opposing views.
  • Formation of Non-Congress Governments: In several states, non-Congress parties formed coalition governments after the elections.

Electoral Verdict

The electoral verdict of 1967 showed a significant decline in the Congress's dominance:

  • Reduced Majority: The Congress lost its massive majority in the Lok Sabha, though it still retained power.
  • Defeats in States: The Congress suffered defeats in several states, losing power in many regions. Non-Congress governments, often coalitions, came to power in states like West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Odisha.
  • Rise of Opposition Strength: Opposition parties increased their representation in Parliament and state assemblies.

Coalitions

The election results led to the rise of coalition governments, particularly in the states. These coalitions were often formed by disparate parties united by their opposition to the Congress.

Defection

The 1967 elections also highlighted the problem of defection**, where elected MLAs or MPs switched their party allegiance, often for political gain or ideological shifts. This practice, sometimes referred to as "Aaya Ram Gaya Ram," led to political instability, especially in the coalition governments formed in the states.

The 1967 election was a wake-up call for the Congress, indicating that its period of unchallenged dominance was coming to an end.


Split In The Congress

The challenges faced by the Congress party, particularly after the 1967 elections, exacerbated internal divisions, leading to a major split in the party.

Indira Vs. The ‘Syndicate’

The Congress party was divided into two main factions:

  • Indira Gandhi (Congress R/Ruling Congress): Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had come to power with the support of the party elders, began to assert her own leadership and political agenda.
  • The ‘Syndicate’ (Congress O/Organisation Congress): This was a group of powerful and senior leaders from various states (like K. Kamaraj, S. Nijalingappa, Atulya Ghosh) who had initially supported Indira Gandhi's rise but later came into conflict with her over leadership style and policy direction. They represented the old guard of the party.

The conflict escalated as Indira Gandhi sought to assert her authority, challenge the Syndicate's control, and pursue more radical policies, such as bank nationalization and abolition of privy purses.

Presidential Election, 1969

The Presidential election of 1969 became a flashpoint for the conflict between Indira Gandhi and the Syndicate:

  • Death of President Zakir Husain: The President's office fell vacant.
  • Syndicate's Candidate: The Syndicate proposed Sanjiva Reddy as their candidate.
  • Indira Gandhi's Candidate: Indira Gandhi, going against the party's official line, supported V.V. Giri, the Vice-President, who contested as an independent.
  • Outcome: V.V. Giri won the election, signalling Indira Gandhi's growing strength and challenging the Syndicate's dominance. This event formalized the split in the Congress party, leading to the formation of the Congress (R) led by Indira Gandhi and the Congress (O) led by the Syndicate.

Abolition Of Privy Purse

Another major policy move by Indira Gandhi that deepened the rift was her government's decision to abolish the Privy Purse**, the payments made to the former rulers of princely states. Although her government's attempt to abolish it through an ordinance was struck down by the Supreme Court, she later brought in a constitutional amendment to achieve this goal.

  • Symbol of Old Order: The privy purses were seen by Indira Gandhi and her supporters as an anachronism and a symbol of inequality.
  • Syndicate's Opposition: Many in the Syndicate and Congress (O) were more inclined to support the princely order.

These actions further widened the ideological and political chasm between Indira Gandhi and the Syndicate, leading to the formal split.


The 1971 Election And Restoration Of Congress

Following the split in the Congress party, Indira Gandhi's faction (Congress R) faced a major test in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections against the combined opposition, including the Congress (O), Jana Sangh, and others.

The Contest

The election was framed as a contest between Indira Gandhi and the united opposition, often dubbed the "Grand Alliance." Indira Gandhi's campaign was built around a populist agenda:

  • "Garibi Hatao" (Remove Poverty): This slogan resonated widely with the masses, promising social justice and economic upliftment.
  • Radical Policies: Her government had recently nationalized banks and abolished privy purses, projecting an image of being a champion of the poor.
  • Weak Opposition Unity: The opposition parties, despite their alliance, lacked a common vision or leader and failed to present a united alternative.

The Outcome And After

The results of the 1971 elections were a resounding victory for Indira Gandhi and the Congress (R):

  • Overwhelming Majority: Congress (R) won 352 seats in the Lok Sabha, giving Indira Gandhi a massive mandate and solidifying her position as the undisputed leader.
  • Defeat of Opposition: The "Grand Alliance" was decimated, with many of its constituent parties failing to win a significant number of seats.
  • Restoration of Congress Dominance: The victory marked a significant restoration of Congress dominance**, but this time under Indira Gandhi's charismatic leadership, distinct from the earlier era dominated by the Syndicate.
  • Bangladesh War Victory (1971): The victory in the Bangladesh Liberation War later that year further boosted Indira Gandhi's popularity and strengthened her government's position.

The 1971 election demonstrated Indira Gandhi's ability to connect directly with the masses and reposition the Congress party as a force for radical change.


Restoration?

The term "Restoration?"** in the context of Congress dominance after 1971 is often posed as a question because while Indira Gandhi and her faction of the Congress achieved a significant electoral victory and re-established party dominance, the *nature* of that dominance and the party itself had changed.

  • Shift in Power Base: The dominance shifted from the old 'Syndicate' of state-level bosses to Indira Gandhi's personal charisma and direct appeal to the masses ("Garibi Hatao").
  • Ideological Shift: While retaining some aspects of earlier Congress ideology, Indira Gandhi's faction increasingly adopted more populist and radical rhetoric, sometimes at the expense of internal party democracy or ideological consistency.
  • Centralization of Power: Power became more centralized around the Prime Minister, rather than being distributed among party factions and state leaders.
  • New Challenges Ahead: This "restored" dominance was soon to be challenged by the increasing authoritarian tendencies that would culminate in the Emergency in 1975, leading to a far greater crisis for the Congress system than previously imagined.

So, while Congress returned to a position of power, it was a "restoration" of a different kind, with new dynamics and vulnerabilities that would soon become apparent.