12 CBSE NCERT Political Science
Challenges and Restoration of the Congress System in India
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Theme Analysis
Main ThemeChallenges to and Restoration of the Congress System in India
Subject CategoryPolitical Science / History
Key Concepts
Question FocusThe questions cover key events, political figures, policies, and the evolution of the Congress system during the 1960s and early 1970s. Emphasis is placed on understanding the causes and effects of political changes, the strategies employed by different political actors, and the transformation of India's democratic landscape. Questions range from direct recall to analytical understanding, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of the chapter's content.
When did Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru pass away, leading to the first major challenge of political succession in independent India?
Hint: Recall the year mentioned for Nehru's demise at the beginning of the succession discussion.
Answer
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru passed away in May 1964.
Explanation
The text explicitly states that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru passed away in May 1964, which initiated the challenge of political succession in India.
Why did many outsiders express serious doubts about India's democratic experiment surviving after Nehru?
Hint: Consider the anxieties surrounding newly independent nations and their ability to maintain democracy.
Answer
Many outsiders feared that India, like so many other newly independent countries, would not be able to manage a democratic succession, which could lead to a political role for the army.
Explanation
The text states that serious doubts arose because it was feared that India, like many other newly independent countries, would not be able to manage a democratic succession, potentially leading to a political role for the army.
Who was unanimously chosen as the leader of the Congress parliamentary party and became the Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru's death?
Hint: Recall the immediate successor to Nehru.
Answer
Lal Bahadur Shastri was unanimously chosen as the leader of the Congress parliamentary party and became the country’s next Prime Minister.
Explanation
After Nehru passed away, K. Kamraj, the president of the Congress party, consulted leaders and found a consensus in favour of Lal Bahadur Shastri, who was then unanimously chosen as the leader of the Congress parliamentary party and became Prime Minister.
Lal Bahadur Shastri was known for which of the following qualities during his political career?
Hint: Think about the personal attributes highlighted for Shastri in the text.
Answer
Lal Bahadur Shastri was known for his simplicity and his commitment to principles.
Explanation
The text describes Lal Bahadur Shastri as a non-controversial leader known for his simplicity and his commitment to principles. It also mentions his resignation as Railway Minister accepting moral responsibility for an accident.
What famous slogan did Lal Bahadur Shastri coin during his brief Prime Ministership to symbolize India's resolve to face its challenges?
Hint: This slogan united soldiers and farmers, crucial for the nation's challenges.
Answer
Lal Bahadur Shastri coined the famous slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’.
Explanation
During Shastri’s Prime Ministership, the country faced war with Pakistan and a severe food crisis. His famous slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ symbolised the country’s resolve to face both these challenges.
In which city did Lal Bahadur Shastri suddenly expire on January 11, 1966, while discussing an agreement to end the war with Pakistan?
Hint: The city was then in the USSR and is now the capital of Uzbekistan.
Answer
Lal Bahadur Shastri suddenly expired in Tashkent on 11 January 1966.
Explanation
Lal Bahadur Shastri's Prime Ministership came to an abrupt end on 11 January 1966, when he suddenly expired in Tashkent, then in USSR and currently the capital of Uzbekistan.
The second political succession challenge for the Congress, after Shastri's death, involved intense competition between which two leaders?
Hint: These two figures were prominent contenders for the Prime Minister's post after Shastri.
Answer
The second political succession challenge involved intense competition between Morarji Desai and Indira Gandhi.
Explanation
The text states that the Congress faced the challenge of political succession for the second time, and this time there was an intense competition between Morarji Desai and Indira Gandhi.
How was the contest for Prime Minister between Morarji Desai and Indira Gandhi resolved after Shastri's death?
Hint: Think about the internal party mechanism used for selection.
Answer
The contest was resolved through a secret ballot among Congress MPs.
Explanation
The text states that the contest between Morarji Desai and Indira Gandhi for the Prime Ministership was resolved through a secret ballot among Congress MPs, where Indira Gandhi secured the support of more than two-thirds of the party’s MPs.
What did the peaceful transition of power after Shastri's death, despite intense competition, signify about India's democracy?
Hint: Consider how stable transitions reflect on a democratic system.
Answer
A peaceful transition of power, despite intense competition for leadership, was seen as a sign of maturity of India’s democracy.
Explanation
The text highlights that a peaceful transition of power, despite intense competition for leadership, was seen as a sign of maturity of India’s democracy.
Upon becoming Prime Minister, what was one of the major challenges Indira Gandhi faced within her first year, in addition to leading the party in a Lok Sabha election?
Hint: Recall the general state of the economy around the mid-1960s.
Answer
Within a year of becoming Prime Minister, the economic situation in the country had further deteriorated, adding to Indira Gandhi's problems.
Explanation
The text mentions that within a year of becoming Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi had to lead the party in a Lok Sabha election, and around this time, the economic situation in the country had further deteriorated, adding to her problems.
The year 1967 is considered a landmark year in India’s political and electoral history primarily because:
Hint: Think about the long-standing political trend that was challenged in this year.
Answer
The year 1967 is considered a landmark year because the Congress party’s dominance, observed since 1952, was to undergo significant changes with the 1967 elections.
Explanation
The text states that 'The year 1967 is considered a landmark year in India’s political and electoral history' because 'the Congress party was the dominant political force throughout the country from 1952 onwards. This trend was to undergo significant changes with the 1967 elections.'
Which of the following was NOT a contributing factor to the grave economic crisis leading up to the 1967 general elections?
Hint: Consider the overall negative economic indicators of the period.
Answer
A sudden boom in industrial production and exports was NOT a contributing factor. Instead, there was a drop in industrial production and exports.
Explanation
The text lists 'decline in agricultural production, serious food shortage, depletion of foreign exchange reserves, drop in industrial production and exports, combined with a sharp rise in military expenditure' as factors contributing to the economic crisis. A boom in industrial production and exports is contrary to the information provided.
What significant economic decision did the Indira Gandhi government make shortly after coming to power, under what was perceived as pressure from the US?
Hint: This decision significantly changed the exchange rate of the Indian currency.
Answer
One of the first decisions of the Indira Gandhi government was to devaluate the Indian rupee.
Explanation
The text states: 'One of the first decisions of the Indira Gandhi government was to devaluate the Indian rupee, under what was seen to be pressure from the US. Earlier one US dollar could be purchased for less than Rs. 5; after devaluation it cost more than Rs. 7.'
The government's perception of public protests against price rise, food scarcity, and unemployment as merely 'law and order problems' led to what outcome?
Hint: Consider how ignoring the root causes of protests affects public sentiment.
Answer
The government saw the protests as a law and order problem and not as expressions of people’s problems. This further increased public bitterness and reinforced popular unrest.
Explanation
The text explicitly states that 'The government saw the protests as a law and order problem and not as expressions of people’s problems. This further increased public bitterness and reinforced popular unrest.'
Which socialist leader gave the strategy of disparate opposition parties uniting against the Congress the name 'non-Congressism'?
Hint: Recall the prominent socialist figure associated with this anti-Congress strategy.
Answer
The socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia gave this strategy the name of ‘non-Congressism’.
Explanation
The text clearly attributes the strategy of 'non-Congressism' to the socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia, who also provided a theoretical argument for its defense.
What was the theoretical argument put forward by Ram Manohar Lohia in defense of 'non-Congressism'?
Hint: Focus on the core criticism of Congress rule and the goal of the opposition.
Answer
Ram Manohar Lohia argued that Congress rule was undemocratic and opposed to the interests of ordinary poor people; therefore, the coming together of the non-Congress parties was necessary for reclaiming democracy for the people.
Explanation
Ram Manohar Lohia's theoretical argument for non-Congressism was that 'Congress rule was undemocratic and opposed to the interests of ordinary poor people; therefore, the coming together of the non-Congress parties was necessary for reclaiming democracy for the people.'
How did the 1967 general election results impact the Congress party at the national and state levels?
Hint: Recall the 'political earthquake' description and its implications at both levels.
Answer
The Congress managed to get a majority in the Lok Sabha, but with its lowest tally of seats and share of votes since 1952. More dramatically, it lost majority in as many as seven States.
Explanation
The text describes the 1967 election results as a 'political earthquake'. The Congress did manage to get a majority in the Lok Sabha, but with its lowest tally of seats and share of votes since 1952. At the State level, the Congress lost majority in as many as seven States, and in two others, defections prevented it from forming a government.
Which of the following Congress political stalwarts did NOT lose their constituency in the 1967 elections, according to the text?
Hint: Review the list of prominent Congress leaders explicitly stated to have lost their seats.
Answer
Indira Gandhi is not mentioned among the political stalwarts who lost their constituencies in the 1967 elections.
Explanation
The text lists Kamaraj in Tamil Nadu, S.K. Patil in Maharashtra, Atulya Ghosh in West Bengal, and K. B. Sahay in Bihar as political stalwarts who lost in their constituencies. Indira Gandhi is not listed among them.
In which state did the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) come to power in 1967, becoming the first non-Congress party to secure a majority on its own in any state?
Hint: This southern state saw a significant shift in regional politics.
Answer
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) came to power in Madras State (now called Tamil Nadu).
Explanation
The text explicitly states: 'In Madras State (now called Tamil Nadu), a regional party — the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) – came to power by securing a clear majority. ... This was the first time any non-Congress party had secured a majority of its own in any State.'
What was the term used to describe the joint legislative parties formed by various non-Congress parties to support non-Congress governments after the 1967 elections, particularly in Hindi?
Hint: This term literally means 'United Legislative Front'.
Answer
The joint legislative parties were called Samyukt Vidhayak Dal (SVD) in Hindi.
Explanation
The text explains: 'Since no single party had got majority, various non-Congress parties came together to form joint legislative parties (called Samyukt Vidhayak Dal in Hindi) that supported non-Congress governments. That is why these governments came to be described as SVD governments.'
What does the term 'defection' mean in the context of Indian politics, as described in the text?
Hint: This involves a change of party loyalty by an elected individual.
Answer
Defection means an elected representative leaves the party on whose symbol he/she was elected and joins another party.
Explanation
The text provides a direct definition: 'Defection means an elected representative leaves the party on whose symbol he/she was elected and joins another party.'
The expression 'Aya Ram, Gaya Ram' became popular in Indian political vocabulary due to the actions of which MLA in Haryana in 1967?
Hint: Recall the specific name associated with rapid party switching.
Answer
The expression originated in an amazing feat of floor crossing achieved by Gaya Lal, an MLA in Haryana, in 1967.
Explanation
The text explicitly states: 'The expression originated in an amazing feat of floor crossing achieved by Gaya Lal, an MLA in Haryana, in 1967.'
What was the 'Syndicate' in the context of the Congress party during the 1960s?
Hint: Think about the internal power structure within the Congress.
Answer
Syndicate was the informal name given to a group of Congress leaders who were in control of the party’s organisation.
Explanation
The text defines the 'Syndicate' as 'the informal name given to a group of Congress leaders who were in control of the party’s organisation.' It also mentions that this group had a decisive say in Indira Gandhi’s first Council of Ministers and in policy formulation.
Indira Gandhi's strategy to assert her independence from the Syndicate involved which of the following actions?
Hint: Consider how she gradually sidelined the established power brokers and changed policy direction.
Answer
Indira Gandhi attempted to assert her position by choosing trusted advisers from outside the party and launching a series of initiatives to give the government policy a Left orientation.
Explanation
The text states: 'Indira Gandhi attempted to assert her position within the government and the party. She chose her trusted group of advisers from outside the party. Slowly and carefully, she sidelined the Syndicate. ... She launched a series of initiatives to give the government policy a Left orientation.'
Which of the following was NOT part of the Ten Point Programme adopted by the Congress Working Committee in May 1967, under Indira Gandhi's initiatives?
Hint: The program aimed for a 'Left orientation' in government policy.
Answer
Privatisation of key public sector undertakings was NOT part of the Ten Point Programme, which instead focused on 'social control of banks' and 'nationalisation of General Insurance'.
Explanation
The Ten Point Programme included 'social control of banks, nationalisation of General Insurance, ceiling on urban property and income, public distribution of food grains, land reforms and provision of house sites to the rural poor.' Privatisation is contrary to this socialist-leaning agenda.
Who was the official Congress candidate for the Presidential elections in 1969, nominated by the 'Syndicate'?
Hint: This candidate was a long-time opponent of Indira Gandhi and the then Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Answer
N. Sanjeeva Reddy was nominated as the official Congress candidate for the 1969 Presidential elections by the 'Syndicate'.
Explanation
The text states: 'Despite Mrs Gandhi’s reservations the ‘syndicate’ managed to nominate her long time opponent and then speaker of the Lok Sabha, N. Sanjeeva Reddy, as the official Congress candidate for the ensuing Presidential elections.'
How did Indira Gandhi retaliate against the Syndicate's nomination of N. Sanjeeva Reddy for the 1969 Presidential election?
Hint: Her actions demonstrated a direct challenge to the party establishment.
Answer
Indira Gandhi retaliated by encouraging the then Vice-President, V.V. Giri, to file his nomination as an independent candidate and openly called for a 'conscience vote'.
Explanation
The text details Indira Gandhi's retaliation: 'Indira Gandhi retaliated by encouraging the then Vice-President, V.V. Giri, to file his nomination as an independent candidate. ... After silently supporting V.V. Giri, the Prime Minister openly called for a ‘conscience vote’ which meant that the MPs and MLAs from the Congress should be free to vote the way they want.'
The defeat of the official Congress candidate, N. Sanjeeva Reddy, in the 1969 Presidential election ultimately led to what significant event in Indian politics?
Hint: This election served as a crucial turning point in the internal power struggle.
Answer
The defeat of the official Congress candidate formalised the split in the party.
Explanation
The text explicitly states: 'The election ultimately resulted in the victory of V.V. Giri, the independent candidate, and the defeat of Sanjeeva Reddy, the official Congress candidate. The defeat of the official Congress candidate formalised the split in the party.'
After the formal split in November 1969, the Congress group led by the 'Syndicate' came to be referred to as what?
Hint: This faction was also known as the 'Old Congress'.
Answer
The Congress group led by the ‘syndicate’ came to be referred to as the Congress (Organisation).
Explanation
The text states: 'By November 1969, the Congress group led by the ‘syndicate’ came to be referred to as the Congress (Organisation) and the group led by Indira Gandhi came to be called the Congress (Requisitionists). These two parties were also described as Old Congress and New Congress.'
How did Indira Gandhi project the split in the Congress party?
Hint: Consider the broader political narrative she constructed around the split.
Answer
Indira Gandhi projected the split as an ideological divide between socialists and conservatives, between the pro-poor and the pro-rich.
Explanation
The text notes: 'Indira Gandhi projected the split as an ideological divide between socialists and conservatives, between the pro-poor and the pro-rich.' This framing helped her garner public support.
What was the 'privy purse' that Indira Gandhi sought to abolish?
Hint: This was a financial privilege inherited from the pre-independence era.
Answer
The privy purse was a grant in heredity or government allowance given to former rulers’ families after the dissolution of princely rule.
Explanation
The text defines privy purse as 'a grant in heredity or government allowance, measured on the basis of the extent, revenue and potential of the merging state' given to former rulers’ families after the dissolution of princely rule.
Why did Indira Gandhi support the demand for the abolition of privy purses, despite initial assurances given during the integration of princely states?
Hint: Connect the issue to the foundational values of the Indian Constitution.
Answer
Indira Gandhi supported the abolition of privy purses because hereditary privileges were not consonant with the principles of equality and social and economic justice laid down in the Constitution of India.
Explanation
The text explains: 'Yet, hereditary privileges were not consonant with the principles of equality and social and economic justice laid down in the Constitution of India.' Nehru had also expressed dissatisfaction, and Indira Gandhi supported its abolition, making it a major election issue in 1971.
Who called the move to abolish privy purses 'morally wrong and amounting to a ‘breach of faith with the princes’'?
Hint: This figure was a prominent opponent of Indira Gandhi's policies.
Answer
Morarji Desai called the move to abolish privy purses morally wrong and amounting to a ‘breach of faith with the princes’.
Explanation
The text explicitly states: 'Morarji Desai, however, called the move morally wrong and amounting to a ‘breach of faith with the princes’.'
Why did Indira Gandhi's government recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha in December 1970, leading to the fifth general election?
Hint: Consider her political objectives after the Congress split and her minority government status.
Answer
Indira Gandhi’s government recommended the dissolution of the Lok Sabha in December 1970 in order to end her dependence on other political parties, strengthen her party’s position in the Parliament, and seek a popular mandate for her programmes.
Explanation
The text explains: 'The split in the Congress reduced Indira Gandhi Government to a minority. Yet her government continued in office with the issue-based support of a few other parties... In order to end her dependence on other political parties, strengthen her party’s position in the Parliament, and seek a popular mandate for her programmes, Indira Gandhi’s government recommended the dissolution of the Lok Sabha in December 1970.'
What was the electoral alliance formed by major non-communist, non-Congress opposition parties before the 1971 Lok Sabha elections called?
Hint: This alliance was formed to counter Indira Gandhi's Congress(R).
Answer
All the major non-communist, non-Congress opposition parties formed an electoral alliance known as the Grand Alliance.
Explanation
The text states: 'To make matters worse for Indira Gandhi, all the major non-communist, non-Congress opposition parties formed an electoral alliance known as the Grand Alliance.'
What was the main difference in the campaign strategies of the Grand Alliance and Indira Gandhi's Congress(R) in the 1971 elections?
Hint: Consider the contrasting slogans and their underlying messages.
Answer
The Grand Alliance’s only common programme was 'Indira Hatao' (Remove Indira), while Indira Gandhi put forward a positive programme captured in the famous slogan: 'Garibi Hatao' (Remove Poverty).
Explanation
The text highlights this contrast: 'The Grand Alliance did not have a coherent political programme. Indira Gandhi said that the opposition alliance had only one common programme: Indira Hatao (Remove Indira). In contrast to this, she put forward a positive programme captured in the famous slogan: Garibi Hatao (Remove Poverty).'
Which of the following was NOT an area of focus under Indira Gandhi's 'Garibi Hatao' programme?
Hint: Recall the left-leaning, pro-poor orientation of her policies.
Answer
Promotion of private monopolies and large corporations was NOT part of 'Garibi Hatao', which focused on socialist-leaning policies.
Explanation
Indira Gandhi focused on 'the growth of the public sector, imposition of ceiling on rural land holdings and urban property, removal of disparities in income and opportunity, and abolition of princely privileges.' Promotion of private monopolies contradicts this agenda.
Through 'Garibi Hatao', Indira Gandhi primarily aimed to generate a support base among which disadvantaged groups?
Hint: Consider the social groups most affected by poverty.
Answer
Through ‘garibi hatao’ Indira Gandhi tried to generate a support base among the disadvantaged, especially among the landless labourers, Dalits and Adivasis, minorities, women and the unemployed youth.
Explanation
The text explicitly states: 'Through garibi hatao Indira Gandhi tried to generate a support base among the disadvantaged, especially among the landless labourers, Dalits and Adivasis, minorities, women and the unemployed youth.'
What was the outcome of the 1971 Lok Sabha elections for Indira Gandhi's Congress(R)-CPI alliance?
Hint: This election was described as a 'grand finish' for Indira Gandhi.
Answer
The Congress(R)-CPI alliance won more seats and votes than the Congress had ever won in the first four general elections, securing 375 seats in Lok Sabha.
Explanation
The text states: 'The results of the Lok Sabha elections of 1971, were as dramatic as was the decision to hold these elections. The Congress(R)-CPI alliance won more seats and votes than the Congress had ever won in the first four general elections. The combine won 375 seats in Lok Sabha and secured 48.4 per cent votes.'
The massive victory of Indira Gandhi's Congress(R) in 1971 officially achieved what for the party?
Hint: Consider the impact on its legitimacy and political power.
Answer
With this, the Congress party led by Indira Gandhi established its claim to being the ‘real’ Congress and restored to it the dominant position in Indian politics.
Explanation
The text states: 'With this the Congress party led by Indira Gandhi established its claim to being the ‘real’ Congress and restored to it the dominant position in Indian politics.' The Grand Alliance, in contrast, proved a 'grand failure'.
Which major international event immediately after the 1971 Lok Sabha elections further boosted Indira Gandhi's popularity?
Hint: This event changed the map of South Asia.
Answer
Soon after the 1971 Lok Sabha elections, a major political and military crisis broke out in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), leading to the Indo-Pak war and the establishment of Bangladesh, which added to Indira Gandhi's popularity.
Explanation
The text mentions: 'Soon after the 1971 Lok Sabha elections, a major political and military crisis broke out in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). As you have read in Chapter Four, the 1971 elections were followed by the crisis in East Pakistan and the Indo-Pak war leading to the establishment of Bangladesh. These events added to the popularity of Indira Gandhi.'
According to the text, how did the 'restored' Congress system under Indira Gandhi differ from the old Congress party?
Hint: Consider the changes in leadership style and party structure.
Answer
The new Congress party relied entirely on the popularity of the supreme leader, had a somewhat weak organisational structure, and depended more on some social groups: the poor, the women, Dalits, Adivasis and the minorities.
Explanation
The text explains: 'What Indira Gandhi had done was not a revival of the old Congress party. In many ways she had re-invented the party. ... But it was a different kind of a party. It relied entirely on the popularity of the supreme leader. It had a somewhat weak organisational structure. This Congress party now did not have many factions, thus it could not accommodate all kinds of opinions and interests. While it won elections, it depended more on some social groups: the poor, the women, Dalits, Adivasis and the minorities.'
Despite the new Congress under Indira Gandhi being more popular, what negative consequence is highlighted regarding democratic expression?
Hint: Consider the impact of centralized power on dissent and pluralism.
Answer
While the Congress consolidated its position and Indira Gandhi assumed a position of unprecedented political authority, the spaces for democratic expression of people’s aspirations actually shrank.
Explanation
The text concludes by stating: 'Despite being more popular, the new Congress did not have the kind of capacity to absorb all tensions and conflicts that the Congress system was known for. While the Congress consolidated its position and Indira Gandhi assumed a position of unprecedented political authority, the spaces for democratic expression of people’s aspirations actually shrank.'
K. Kamraj, a prominent figure in the Congress and a leader of the Syndicate, was known for which significant proposal in 1963?
Hint: This plan aimed at rejuvenating the party leadership.
Answer
K. Kamraj proposed that all senior Congressmen should resign from office to make way for younger party workers, a proposal famous as the ‘Kamaraj plan’.
Explanation
The text mentions K. Kamraj in a sidebar, stating he 'in 1963 he proposed that all senior Congressmen should resign from office to make way for younger party workers—this proposal is famous as the ‘Kamaraj plan.’'
The 1960s were labelled as the 'dangerous decade' for India primarily due to:
Hint: Consider the internal socio-political and economic challenges faced by the newly independent nation.
Answer
The 1960s were labelled as the ‘dangerous decade’ when unresolved problems like poverty, inequality, communal and regional divisions etc. could lead to a failure of the democratic project or even the disintegration of the country.
Explanation
The text explicitly states: 'The 1960s were labelled as the ‘dangerous decade’ when unresolved problems like poverty, inequality, communal and regional divisions etc. could lead to a failure of the democratic project or even the disintegration of the country.'
Given the widespread public protests against price rise, food scarcity, and unemployment before 1967, what was a likely political consequence for the ruling Congress party?
Hint: Think about how economic hardship typically affects voter sentiment towards the incumbent government.
Answer
Widespread public discontent and protests due to economic hardship would most likely lead to a significant decline in the ruling party's electoral performance and a loss of public trust, as seen in the 1967 elections.
Explanation
The text details the 'heightened popular discontent' and 'polarisation of political forces' in the context of the economic crisis leading to the 1967 elections. This context directly contributed to the Congress party's 'lowest tally of seats and share of votes since 1952' and its loss of power in many states, indicating a significant decline in electoral performance and public trust.
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