Chapter 5: Challenges to and restoration of the congress system
Political Science Part 2 • Class 12
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Chapter Analysis
Advanced20 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
This chapter discusses the challenges and restoration of the Congress system in India during the 1960s and 1970s. It begins with the issue of political succession following Nehru's death, leading to the rise of Indira Gandhi. The chapter covers the internal challenges faced by the Congress from dissent within and the challenge posed by the opposition. It further explains how Indira Gandhi's strategies, policies like 'garibi hatao', and electoral victories helped in consolidating the Congress's position, although with a transformed structure reliant on her personal charisma.
Key Topics
- •Political succession after Nehru
- •Challenges to Congress dominance
- •Role of Indira Gandhi in reshaping Congress
- •1971 elections and Garibi Hatao
- •Congress party's internal dynamics and split
- •Emergence of coalition politics
- •Concept of Non-Congressism
- •Impact of socio-economic policies under Indira Gandhi's rule
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the political transition post-Nehru era
- ✓Analyze the factors leading to the split of Congress
- ✓Evaluate Indira Gandhi's policies and their socio-political impact
- ✓Explore the emergence and effect of coalition politics
- ✓Discuss the internal challenges within Congress during the 1960s-70s
- ✓Assess the transformation in Congress's organizational structure under Indira Gandhi
Questions in Chapter
Which of these statements about the 1967 elections is/are correct?
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Match the following: (a) Syndicate (b) Defection (c) Slogan (d) Anti-Congressism
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Whom would you identify with the following slogans/phrases? (a) Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan (b) Indira Hatao! (c) Garibi Hatao!
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Which of the following statement about the Grand Alliance of 1971 is correct?
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How should a political party resolve its internal differences?
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State which of these were reasons for the defeat of the Congress in 1967.
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What were the factors which led to the popularity of Indira Gandhi's Government in the early 1970s?
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What does the term 'syndicate' mean in the context of the Congress party of the sixties? What role did the Syndicate play in the Congress party?
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Discuss the major issue which led to the formal split of the Congress Party in 1969.
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Read the passage and answer the questions below.
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Additional Practice Questions
What significant role did Indira Gandhi play following the political chaos after Nehru's death?
mediumAnswer: Indira Gandhi emerged as a strong political leader consolidating power within the Congress by implementing policies such as 'garibi hatao' and winning significant elections, thus restoring Congress's dominance albeit under a different structure.
Explain the concept of 'Non-Congressism' and its impact on Indian politics during the late 1960s.
hardAnswer: Non-Congressism was a political strategy adopted by opposition parties to come together to counter the Congress party, leading to the formation of coalition governments in several states, which challenged Congress's long-standing dominance.
Discuss the internal challenges and opposition faced by the Congress party during Indira Gandhi's leadership.
mediumAnswer: Indira Gandhi faced significant opposition both from within her party, mainly the Syndicate, and from the external political challenges posed by the unified opposition; however, she overcame these by strategic political moves and consolidating her power base.
Analyze the reasons for the split in the Congress party in 1969.
hardAnswer: The split in the Congress party was precipitated by ideological differences, power struggles, and the dissatisfaction of the Syndicate with Indira Gandhi's policies and independent style of governance.
What were the main socio-economic policies introduced by Indira Gandhi that contributed to her popularity?
mediumAnswer: Indira Gandhi introduced socio-economic policies such as the nationalization of banks, abolition of privy purses, land reforms, and the popular slogan 'Garibi Hatao', which aimed to support the underprivileged and solidify her political base.
What does the slogan 'Garibi Hatao' signify, and how did it help Indira Gandhi politically?
easyAnswer: 'Garibi Hatao', meaning 'Remove Poverty', was aimed at addressing socio-economic disparities, which resonated with the lower socio-economic classes, helping Indira Gandhi galvanize mass support and assert her leadership.
Examine the impact of the 1971 elections on the political landscape of India.
hardAnswer: The 1971 elections saw a decisive victory for Indira Gandhi's Congress, reinforcing her leadership and ushering in an era of centralized governance and transformation in Congress's organizational setup.
What led to the rise of coalition politics in India post-1967?
mediumAnswer: Coalition politics arose due to the loss of absolute majority by Congress in various states, prompting anti-Congress parties to form alliances to counter Congress's influence at the state level.
Discuss the term 'Aya Ram Gaya Ram' and its significance in Indian politics during the era.
mediumAnswer: 'Aya Ram, Gaya Ram' became synonymous with political defections in India, indicating the instability and opportunistic behavior among politicians post-1967 elections, leading to frequent government changes.
How did Indira Gandhi's leadership influence the structure and strategy of the Congress party?
hardAnswer: Indira Gandhi centralized authority within the Congress, shifting it from a consensus-based management to a more leader-driven approach, altering its ideological stance to align with her political goals.