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Challenges To And Restoration Of The Congress System Class 12

Simran Sahni・2 minutes read

Saran Sahani's chapter explores the transition of leadership in the Congress Party following Nehru's death, highlighting the challenges faced by Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi amid economic instability and shifting political dynamics. The text examines Indira Gandhi's rise to power, her focus on social reforms, and the internal conflicts within the Congress party, suggesting that her increasing centralization of authority could foreshadow a crisis in India's democratic order.

Insights

  • Saran Sahani discusses the challenges faced by India's democracy after Jawaharlal Nehru's death, emphasizing concerns about leadership stability within the Congress Party and the broader implications for democratic governance in a region experiencing military rule in neighboring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh.
  • Lal Bahadur Shastri succeeded Nehru as Prime Minister during a tumultuous period marked by economic hardship and external threats, notably the 1965 war with Pakistan, and his leadership was defined by the rallying cry "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan," which aimed to uplift the spirits of both soldiers and farmers amidst national crises.
  • Indira Gandhi's rise to Prime Minister after Shastri's unexpected death was marked by skepticism regarding her political experience, yet she secured a significant majority through a secret ballot among Congress MPs, indicating a peaceful transition of power amidst political uncertainty.
  • The 1967 elections represented a critical turning point for the Congress Party, as it faced a decline in dominance and significant public discontent due to economic issues, leading to the emergence of coalition governments and a shift in political dynamics that challenged Indira Gandhi's leadership and the party's future.

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Summary

00:00

Leadership Crisis in Post-Nehru India

  • Saran Sahani introduces the topic of Chapter 5, "Challenge Two in Restoration of Congress System," focusing on the political landscape following Jawaharlal Nehru's death and the implications for India's democracy.
  • Nehru, who died at the age of 64 after a year of declining health, left a significant void in Indian politics, raising concerns about the future leadership of the Congress Party and the stability of democracy in India.
  • The chapter discusses the fears surrounding Nehru's death, with critics questioning whether India's democratic framework could survive without him, especially in light of military rule in neighboring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh.
  • The "Dangerous Decade" of the 1960s is highlighted, marked by the 1962 Sino-Indian War, economic challenges, and high poverty levels, which intensified worries about India's political stability after Nehru's passing.
  • Lal Bahadur Shastri was appointed as the next Prime Minister, taking office during a time of economic hardship and external threats, including ongoing tensions with Pakistan.
  • Shastri's leadership was characterized by his famous slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan," which aimed to boost morale among soldiers and farmers amid national crises, including food shortages and military conflicts.
  • Shastri's tenure lasted from 1964 to 1966, during which he faced significant challenges, including the 1965 war with Pakistan and the need to address food security issues in India.
  • The Tashkent Agreement, signed on January 10, 1966, marked a significant diplomatic effort to end hostilities with Pakistan, facilitated by the USSR, but Shastri died unexpectedly shortly after the agreement was reached.
  • Following Shastri's death, Indira Gandhi emerged as the next Prime Minister, despite being relatively inexperienced and younger than many of her contemporaries, and she was also the daughter of Nehru.
  • The chapter concludes by raising questions about the future of leadership within the Congress Party and the broader implications for Indian democracy as it transitioned from Nehru to Shastri and then to Gandhi.

13:02

Indira Gandhi's Rise Amid Political Turmoil

  • After Shastri ji's death, the Congress Party faced the challenge of selecting a new Prime Minister, with Moraji Desai and Indira Gandhi as the primary candidates. Moraji Desai was a former Chief Minister and Central Minister of Bombay State, while Indira Gandhi was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru and had previously served as Congress President and Union Minister for Information.
  • Indira Gandhi's political experience was limited compared to other senior leaders, leading to concerns about her capability to lead. Despite this, senior Congress leaders decided to support her candidacy, which was determined through a secret ballot among Congress MPs.
  • Indira Gandhi was elected as Prime Minister by securing over two-thirds of the party's MPs' support, marking a peaceful transition of power without military intervention or civil unrest following Shastri ji's sudden death.
  • Upon taking office, Indira Gandhi faced significant challenges, including a lack of experience and the need to establish her leadership within the party, as many senior leaders were initially skeptical of her capabilities.
  • The Fourth General Election in 1967 was a pivotal moment in Indian politics, as it marked a shift in Congress's dominance, which had previously won three consecutive elections. The election was characterized by widespread poverty and economic instability in the country.
  • Key issues leading up to the Fourth General Election included agricultural shortages, a slowing industry, depletion of foreign exchange reserves, and rising inflation, which resulted in public protests and dissatisfaction.
  • Indira Gandhi's leadership was tested as she had to navigate these economic challenges while also proving her ability to lead the Congress Party effectively, especially in the face of skepticism from experienced leaders like Moraji Desai.
  • The 1967 elections were held in February, with both Lok Sabha and state assembly elections occurring simultaneously, marking the first time Congress faced the electorate without Nehru's influence.
  • The election results were described as a "political earthquake," with Congress winning the Lok Sabha but securing the lowest number of seats since 1952, totaling 283 seats, indicating a significant decline in their political power.
  • Many prominent Congress leaders lost their seats in the assembly elections, highlighting a shift in public sentiment and the emergence of new political forces, which posed a substantial challenge to Indira Gandhi's leadership and the Congress Party's future.

26:08

Political Shifts and Coalition Challenges in India

  • Congress faced significant challenges in forming governments in various states, including Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, Orissa, and Tamil Nadu, where it lost elections despite winning a majority in some areas, indicating a shift in political dynamics.
  • The 1966 state elections revealed Congress's inability to secure a majority, leading to defections where candidates left Congress to join other parties, contributing to the rise of non-Congress coalitions.
  • The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party emerged victorious in Tamil Nadu, marking a significant political shift as it was the first non-Congress party to gain power in the state, largely due to student protests against Hindi as the official language.
  • The formation of coalition governments became prevalent after the 1967 elections, as no single party achieved a majority, leading to alliances among various non-Congress parties, including the Samyukta Socialist Party (SSP), the Communist Party of India (CPI), and the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
  • Defections played a crucial role in the political landscape, with many Congress legislators switching parties, which facilitated the establishment of non-Congress governments in states like Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • The phrase "Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram" became popular in Haryana, symbolizing the frequent party-switching of a legislator, Gayaram, who changed parties multiple times within a short period, highlighting the instability and opportunism in politics.
  • Following the 1967 elections, Congress retained power at the center but with a reduced majority, losing significant ground in several states, which indicated a growing challenge to its dominance in Indian politics.
  • Indira Gandhi faced opposition from the Congress Syndicate, a group of powerful party leaders, as she sought to establish her independence and implement a left-oriented policy shift, focusing on government control of the economy and welfare programs.
  • The Congress Working Committee adopted a 10-point program aimed at addressing poverty and economic control, which included nationalization of banks, urban property ceilings, and food grain distribution reforms.
  • The instability of coalition governments led to frequent changes in leadership and the imposition of President's Rule in several states, reflecting the challenges of maintaining a stable government amidst diverse political ideologies and alliances.

39:58

Indira Gandhi's Political Maneuvering and Reforms

  • The text discusses the significance of ten key programs approved by Indira Gandhi, highlighting the impact on people's happiness and understanding of the political landscape in India during her leadership.
  • It mentions the formal approval of these programs by the Syndicate Leaders, who had reservations about Indira Gandhi's approach, indicating a divide within the Congress party.
  • The rivalry between Indira Gandhi and the Syndicate became pronounced after the death of President Zakir Hussain in 1969, leading to political tensions and a split within the Congress party.
  • Indira Gandhi nominated Sanjeeva Reddy as the official Congress candidate for the presidency, while she encouraged VV Giri to run as an independent candidate, showcasing her strategic political maneuvering.
  • The nationalization of 14 leading private banks, including Punjab National Bank and Bank of India, was a significant policy measure introduced by Indira Gandhi to strengthen government control over the banking sector.
  • The abolition of the privy purse, which granted special privileges to former princes, was a contentious issue, with Indira Gandhi pushing for its elimination to promote equality and justice in Indian society.
  • Morarji Desai, who served as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, had serious differences with Indira Gandhi, leading to his departure from the government amid rising tensions.
  • The presidential election saw internal rivalry within Congress, with a whip issued to ensure party members voted for Sanjeeva Reddy, but many defied this directive, leading to a significant political fallout.
  • The split in Congress in November 1969 resulted in the formation of two factions: the Syndicate-led Congress and Indira Gandhi's faction, which she framed as a battle between conservative and socialist ideologies.
  • Indira Gandhi's focus on social reforms and land ceiling acts during the 1971 elections, along with her alliance with the Communist Party and DMK, helped her regain political strength despite the earlier split in Congress.

53:35

Indira Gandhi's Economic Vision and Political Challenges

  • Indira Gandhi aimed to implement a state-controlled economy to benefit the poor, emphasizing the need for poverty alleviation and social equity through government intervention in industries and land reforms, including land ceiling and income distribution actions.
  • The Grand Alliance, which included the Communist Party of India (CPI) and other parties, was formed to oppose Indira Gandhi, but it ultimately failed, securing less than 60 seats in the Lok Sabha elections compared to Gandhi's Congress, which won 375 seats and 48.4% of the votes.
  • In the 1971 elections, Indira Gandhi's Congress, in alliance with the CPI, achieved a significant victory, winning 352 seats independently and 375 seats collectively, marking a restoration of Congress's dominance in Indian politics.
  • Following the 1971 election victory, Indira Gandhi was perceived as a protector of the poor and a strong nationalist leader, which contributed to her success in subsequent state assembly elections in 1972, where she won in multiple states.
  • Indira Gandhi's leadership style became increasingly centralized, with her personal influence dominating the Congress party, which relied heavily on her popularity rather than a strong internal organization, leading to a weaker party structure.
  • The new Congress under Indira Gandhi focused on marginalized groups, including the poor, women, Dalits, tribals, and minorities, which enhanced its appeal across various social sections in India.
  • Despite gaining power, Indira Gandhi faced challenges in managing internal conflicts within the party, leading to a decline in democratic expression and increasing difficulties in governance.
  • The chapter concludes with a foreshadowing of the upcoming crisis in democratic order, as Indira Gandhi's failure to fulfill her promise of poverty elimination could lead to public unrest and the potential for declaring a state of emergency.
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