Class 12 : Poltical Science (English) – Lesson 12.Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System
EXPLANATION & SUMMARY
🌟 Introduction
After independence, the Congress Party emerged as the dominant political force in India.
Through the first three general elections (1952, 1957, 1962), it established what political analysts called the “Congress System.”
However, from the mid-1960s, especially after the 1967 general elections, this system faced serious challenges.
By 1971, under Indira Gandhi’s leadership, the Congress Party managed to restore its dominance in a new form.
This chapter explores the challenges, crisis, and restoration of the Congress System.
🧩 Key Concepts and Themes
🔹 1. The Congress System (1947–1967)
Dominant one-party system with the Congress as the central pole.
Represented diverse social and regional interests under one umbrella.
Provided political stability during the early nation-building phase.
Based on consensus politics, accommodation, and coalition within the party.
Leadership under Jawaharlal Nehru focused on democracy, secularism, and development.
🔹 2. The 1967 Elections: The First Major Challenge
The fourth general elections (1967) were a turning point.
Congress lost its majority in many states (U.P., Bihar, Punjab, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu).
Emergence of coalition governments (called SVD – Samyukta Vidhayak Dal).
For the first time, Congress faced strong opposition and internal divisions.
Indicated the decline of the old Congress System.
🔹 3. Causes of the Decline (1967)
Economic crisis: inflation, food shortage, unemployment.
Factionalism within the party at both central and state levels.
Rise of regional parties voicing local issues.
Split between Old Guard and Young Leaders (syndicate vs. Indira).
Growing dissatisfaction among the poor and middle class.
🔹 4. Split in the Congress (1969)
Conflict between Indira Gandhi and the Syndicate (party bosses).
Issue: choice of Presidential candidate (N. Sanjeeva Reddy vs. V.V. Giri).
Indira supported V.V. Giri; party officially supported Reddy.
After Giri’s victory, the Congress split into:
Congress (O) – Organization, led by syndicate
Congress (R) – Requisition, led by Indira Gandhi
This marked the end of the old consensus and rise of a new Congress centered on Indira’s leadership.
🔹 5. Indira Gandhi’s New Politics (1971)
Slogan: “Garibi Hatao” (Remove Poverty)
Focused on pro-poor and pro-youth image
Nationalization of banks, abolition of privy purses, and economic populism
Strong, centralized leadership replacing factional politics
Appeal to masses directly, reducing importance of party machinery
Result:
In 1971 General Elections, Congress (R) won overwhelming majority — restoration of dominance but in a new form.
🔹 6. Nature of the New Congress System
More personalized leadership around Indira Gandhi
Decline of internal democracy and rise of centralization
Shift from consensus to confrontation politics
Increased populism and state control
New political alignments based on class, poverty, and welfare promises
🔹 7. Other Developments (1970s)
India-Pakistan War (1971) and creation of Bangladesh boosted Indira’s image.
1975–77 Emergency: suspension of democracy led to criticism.
1977 Elections: Congress defeated; first non-Congress government formed (Janata Party).
1980: Congress returned under Indira — showing resilience of the system.
📊 Summary
Period Nature of Congress System Key Features
1947–1967 Dominant Party System Broad coalition, internal consensus
1967–1971 Period of Challenge Electoral setbacks, party split
1971–1977 Restoration Populist politics, centralized leadership
Post-1977 Competition Coalition era, regional parties rise
💡 Concepts to Remember
Congress System – Broad-based dominance with democratic opposition.
SVD Governments – Coalition governments formed by opposition parties in 1967.
Syndicate – Group of senior Congress leaders opposing Indira’s authority.
Populism – Direct appeal to the people through welfare slogans.
Centralization – Concentration of power in the hands of one leader.
📝 Summary Points
Congress dominance faced crisis after 1967.
Split in 1969 created Congress (R) led by Indira.
Indira’s 1971 victory marked the restoration of dominance.
Politics became more centralized and populist.
The old coalition-based system gave way to leader-centric politics.
🎯 Quick Recap
✅ Congress System: 1952–1967
⚠️ Challenge: 1967 Elections
✂️ Split: 1969
🏆 Restoration: 1971 with “Garibi Hatao”
🔄 Transformation: From consensus to populism and centralization
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QUESTIONS FROM TEXTBOOK
🔵 Question 1:
Which of these statements about the 1967 elections is/are correct?
Congress won the Lok Sabha elections but lost the Assembly elections in many states.
Congress lost both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
Congress lost majority in the Lok Sabha but formed a coalition government with the support of some other parties.
Congress retained power at the Centre with an increased majority.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ The correct statement is (1) — Congress won the Lok Sabha elections but lost the Assembly elections in many states.
➡️ The 1967 elections marked the first major electoral setback for the Congress.
➡️ It retained power at the Centre but lost power in several states such as Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, where non-Congress governments were formed.
➡️ This election is often seen as the beginning of the end of one-party dominance and the rise of regional parties.
🔵 Question 2:
Match the following:
Column A Column B
(a) Syndicate (iv) A group of powerful and influential leaders within the Congress
(b) Defection (i) An elected representative leaving the party on whose ticket s/he has been elected
(c) Slogan (ii) A catchy phrase that attracts public attention
(d) Anti-Congressism (iii) Parties with different ideological positions coming together to oppose Congress and its policies
🟢 Answer:
✔️ (a) – (iv)
✔️ (b) – (i)
✔️ (c) – (ii)
✔️ (d) – (iii)
💡 Explanation:
Syndicate: A powerful group of Congress leaders influencing party decisions.
Defection: Changing loyalty from one party to another after election.
Slogan: Used for mass appeal, e.g., “Garibi Hatao.”
Anti-Congressism: Alliance of diverse parties to defeat the Congress.
🔵 Question 3:
Whom would you identify with the following slogans/phrases?
(a) Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan
(b) Indira Hatao
(c) Garibi Hatao
🟢 Answer:
✔️ (a) Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan — Lal Bahadur Shastri
✔️ (b) Indira Hatao — Grand Alliance (1971)
✔️ (c) Garibi Hatao — Indira Gandhi
💡 Jai Jawan Jai Kisan highlighted the need for national defence and agricultural growth.
💡 Garibi Hatao became the slogan for pro-poor policies.
💡 Indira Hatao reflected opposition unity against Indira Gandhi.
🔵 Question 4:
Which of the following statements about the Grand Alliance of 1971 is correct?
It was formed by non-Communist, non-Congress parties.
It had a clear political and ideological programme.
It was formed by all non-Congress parties.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Correct statement: (1) — It was formed by non-Communist, non-Congress parties.
➡️ The Grand Alliance included parties like SSP, Jana Sangh, Swatantra Party, and others.
➡️ It lacked a unified ideology; its main goal was to oppose Indira Gandhi and Congress.
➡️ Therefore, option (2) is incorrect as it did not have a clear ideological programme.
🔵 Question 5:
How should a political party resolve its internal differences? Here are some suggestions. Think of each and list out their advantages and shortcomings.
Follow the footsteps of the party president
Listen to the majority group
Secret ballot voting on every issue
Consult the senior and experienced leaders of the party
🟢 Answer:
✔️ (1) Follow the footsteps of the party president
Advantage: Unity and discipline.
Shortcoming: Suppression of internal democracy.
✔️ (2) Listen to the majority group
Advantage: Reflects democratic opinion.
Shortcoming: May ignore minority voices.
✔️ (3) Secret ballot voting
Advantage: Honest expression of opinion.
Shortcoming: Can weaken collective leadership.
✔️ (4) Consult senior leaders
Advantage: Experience-based guidance.
Shortcoming: May ignore younger voices or reformist views.
🔵 Question 6:
State which of these were reasons for the defeat of the Congress in 1967. Give reasons for your answer.
(a) The absence of a charismatic leader in the Congress party
(b) Split within the Congress party
(c) Increased mobilisation of regional, ethnic and communal groups
(d) Increasing unity among non-Congress parties
(e) Internal differences within the Congress party
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Main reasons:
➡️ (c) Increased mobilisation of regional, ethnic and communal groups — Rise of regional aspirations reduced Congress dominance.
➡️ (d) Unity among non-Congress parties — Anti-Congressism led to coalition governments in states.
➡️ (e) Internal differences — Groupism weakened party unity.
💡 The leadership crisis after Nehru and Shastri also reduced mass appeal. The elections of 1967 became a turning point, ending one-party dominance.
🔵 Question 7:
What were the factors which led to the popularity of Indira Gandhi’s Government in the early 1970s?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Factors:
Pro-poor policies: Slogan “Garibi Hatao.”
Nationalisation: Banks and major industries.
Abolition of privy purses: Symbolic end to royal privileges.
1971 war victory: Creation of Bangladesh increased national pride.
Strong leadership: Centralised decision-making attracted support.
💡 These measures projected Indira Gandhi as a decisive and people-oriented leader.
🔵 Question 8:
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?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Meaning: The Syndicate was a group of powerful Congress leaders such as K. Kamaraj, S.K. Patil, Atulya Ghosh, N. Sanjeeva Reddy, and others.
✔️ Role:
Controlled party organisation.
Influenced decisions on leadership and policies.
Supported Lal Bahadur Shastri and later Indira Gandhi as PM.
Clashed with Indira Gandhi, leading to the 1969 split.
💡 The power struggle between Indira Gandhi and the Syndicate transformed Congress into a more centralised party.
🔵 Question 9:
Discuss the major issue which led to the formal split of the Congress Party in 1969.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Issue: Presidential election of 1969.
➡️ Syndicate supported N. Sanjeeva Reddy, while Indira Gandhi supported V.V. Giri as an independent candidate.
➡️ Indira’s open defiance of the party led to her expulsion.
➡️ Congress split into Congress (O) (Organisation) and Congress (R) (Requisitionists).
💡 The split marked the decline of organisational dominance and rise of individual leadership.
🔵 Question 10:
Read the passage and answer the questions below:
“…Indira Gandhi changed the Congress into highly centralised and undemocratic party organisation, from the earlier federal, democratic and ideological formation that Nehru had led… But this could not have happened had not Indira Gandhi changed the entire nature of politics. This new, populist politics turned political ideology into a mere electoral discourse…” — Sudipta Kaviraj
(a) What according to the author is the difference between the strategies of Nehru and Indira Gandhi?
🟢 Answer: Nehru followed democratic and collective decision-making, while Indira Gandhi pursued centralised and populist strategies.
(b) Why does the author say that the Congress party “died” in the seventies?
🟢 Answer: Because it lost its institutional base and ideology, transforming into a vehicle of personal leadership.
(c) In what way did the change in the Congress party affect other political parties also?
🟢 Answer: Other parties adopted populist and leader-centric politics, reducing ideological commitment.
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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMS
🔵 Question 1: Which of these statements about the 1967 elections is/are correct?
🟠 1️⃣ Congress won the Lok Sabha elections but lost the Assembly elections in many states.
🟢 2️⃣ Congress lost both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
🔴 3️⃣ Congress lost majority in the Lok Sabha but formed a coalition government with the support of some other parties.
🟣 4️⃣ Congress retained power at the Centre with an increased majority.
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣
✔ Congress retained power at the Centre but lost in many states.
✔ It was the first election showing decline of one-party dominance.
🔵 Question 2: Match the following:
Terms Meanings
(a) Syndicate (iv) A group of powerful and influential leaders within the Congress
(b) Defection (i) An elected representative leaving the party on whose ticket s/he has been elected
(c) Slogan (ii) A catchy phrase that attracts public attention
(d) Anti-Congressism (iii) Parties with different ideological positions coming together to oppose Congress and its policies
🟢 Answer:
(a) – (iv), (b) – (i), (c) – (ii), (d) – (iii)
🔵 Question 3: Whom would you identify with the following slogans?
🟠 (a) Jai Jawan Jai Kisan
🟢 (b) Indira Hatao
🔴 (c) Garibi Hatao
🟢 Answer:
(a) Lal Bahadur Shastri
(b) Grand Alliance (1971)
(c) Indira Gandhi
🔵 Question 4: Which statement about the Grand Alliance of 1971 is correct?
🟠 1️⃣ It was formed by non-Communist, non-Congress parties.
🟢 2️⃣ It had a clear political and ideological programme.
🔴 3️⃣ It was formed by all non-Congress parties.
🟣 Answer: 1️⃣
✔ Alliance united by anti-Congressism, not ideology.
🔵 Question 5: What is meant by ‘Syndicate’?
🟢 Answer:
✔ A group of powerful Congress leaders—K. Kamaraj, Atulya Ghosh, S.K. Patil, N. Sanjeeva Reddy—who controlled party decisions.
✔ They played kingmaker roles in choosing PMs and policies.
🔵 Question 6: State any two reasons for Congress defeat in 1967.
🟢 Answer:
✔ Increased unity among non-Congress parties.
✔ Internal conflicts and factionalism in Congress.
🔵 Question 7: Mention one factor behind Indira Gandhi’s popularity in early 1970s.
🟢 Answer:
✔ Slogan “Garibi Hatao” and pro-poor policies increased her appeal.
🔵 Question 8: What is meant by Anti-Congressism?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Alliance of different parties with varying ideologies aiming only to defeat Congress.
🔵 Question 9: Name the group of Congress leaders who controlled the organisation during 1960s.
🟢 Answer:
✔ Known as Syndicate.
🔵 Question 10: What was the major issue that led to the formal split of the Congress in 1969?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Presidential election—Indira Gandhi supported V.V. Giri; Syndicate supported N. Sanjeeva Reddy.
🔵 Question 11: What was the slogan used by Indira Gandhi in 1971 elections?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Garibi Hatao (Remove Poverty)
🔵 Question 12: What was the main reason behind the rise of regional parties after 1967?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Growth of regional aspirations and identity politics.
🔵 Question 13: Differentiate between ‘Nehru’s strategy’ and ‘Indira’s strategy’.
🟢 Answer:
✔ Nehru: Collective, democratic, ideology-based.
✔ Indira: Centralised, populist, personality-based.
🔵 Question 14: Why is 1967 election called a ‘political watershed’?
🟢 Answer:
✔ It ended Congress dominance and introduced coalition politics.
🔵 Question 15: What role did the Syndicate play?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Controlled organisation and influenced leadership choices till 1969.
🔵 Question 16: Mention one difference between 1962 and 1971 elections.
🟢 Answer:
✔ 1962—Congress dominance; 1971—populist politics with Garibi Hatao.
🔵 Question 17: What was the main demand of the opposition in 1971?
🟢 Answer:
✔ To remove Indira Gandhi from power (Indira Hatao).
🔵 Question 18: What was Indira Gandhi’s major political approach?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Centralisation of power and appeal through populist measures.
🔵 Question 19: What were the major reasons for the defeat of Congress in 1967?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Split within the party: Internal conflicts and factionalism weakened unity.
✔ Rise of regional parties: Emergence of strong regional leaders and issues reduced national dominance.
✔ Growing anti-Congress sentiments: Opposition parties formed alliances.
✔ Economic dissatisfaction: Inflation, unemployment, and food shortages caused public discontent.
✔ Charismatic alternatives: New leaders offered alternate visions.
🔵 Question 20: Explain the term ‘Syndicate’ and its role in Congress politics.
🟢 Answer:
✔ Meaning: Syndicate was a group of powerful Congress leaders who controlled party decisions.
✔ Members: K. Kamaraj, Atulya Ghosh, S.K. Patil, N. Sanjeeva Reddy.
✔ Role:
Selected Lal Bahadur Shastri as PM after Nehru’s death.
Played a decisive role in policy-making.
Conflict with Indira Gandhi led to the 1969 split.
🔵 Question 21: What were the factors behind the popularity of Indira Gandhi in the early 1970s?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Pro-poor policies: Garibi Hatao campaign attracted masses.
✔ Centralised leadership: Strong decision-making created a stable image.
✔ Socialist measures: Nationalisation of banks and abolition of privy purses.
✔ Successful wars: Victory in 1971 war enhanced image.
🔵 Question 22: Discuss the reasons for the split in the Congress Party in 1969.
🟢 Answer:
✔ Presidential election conflict: Indira supported V.V. Giri; Syndicate backed N. Sanjeeva Reddy.
✔ Power struggle: Between organisational leadership (Syndicate) and Indira Gandhi.
✔ Ideological difference: Indira’s socialist tilt vs Syndicate’s traditional approach.
✔ Result: Split into Congress (O) and Congress (R).
🔵 Question 23: What changes did Indira Gandhi bring in the Congress system after 1969?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Centralisation of power: Decision-making concentrated around PM.
✔ Populist politics: Use of slogans and welfare schemes.
✔ Weakened organisation: Dependence on personality over organisation.
✔ Shift to left policies: Pro-poor economic reforms.
🔵 Question 24: Compare the political strategies of Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
🟢 Answer:
✔ Nehru:
Democratic and collective decision-making.
Focused on ideology and consensus.
Organisation-based leadership.
✔ Indira:
Centralised authority.
Populist appeal with mass slogans.
Personality-based politics.
🔵 Question 25: Analyse the impact of 1967 elections on Indian politics.
🟢 Answer:
✔ End of one-party dominance.
✔ Beginning of coalition politics.
✔ Rise of regional parties.
✔ Strengthened democracy through competition.
🔵 Question 26: What role did slogans play in Indira Gandhi’s politics?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Slogans like Garibi Hatao mobilised masses.
✔ Created emotional connection with poor.
✔ Shifted focus from organisation to personality.
🔵 Question 27: Explain how Indira Gandhi restructured Congress ideology.
🟢 Answer:
✔ Focused on socialism and poverty removal.
✔ Emphasis on central leadership.
✔ Used populist programmes for mass appeal.
✔ Reduced role of party organisation.
🔵 Question 28: Evaluate the impact of the Grand Alliance of 1971.
🟢 Answer:
✔ United opposition failed due to lack of common ideology.
✔ Strengthened Indira’s image as a decisive leader.
✔ Marked beginning of new Congress system centred on personality.
🔵 Question 29: What is meant by populist politics? How did it emerge under Indira Gandhi?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Meaning: Politics based on direct appeal to masses using emotional slogans and welfare promises.
✔ Under Indira Gandhi:
Garibi Hatao slogan.
Pro-poor schemes.
Centralised leadership.
🔵 Question 30: What were the main features of the restored Congress system after 1971?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Centralised authority under Indira Gandhi.
✔ Personality-based politics.
✔ Weakened organisation but strong popular appeal.
✔ Pro-poor image through socialist policies.
✔ Electoral dominance revived temporarily.
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