After independence, the Congress party dominated Indian politics for many years. But this dominance didn’t last forever. Chapter 5 of Class 12 Political Science Part 2 titled Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System tells the story of how the Congress system started to break down in the late 1960s, and how it made a comeback under Indira Gandhi’s leadership in the 1970s. It discusses coalition politics, the rise of opposition parties, and major elections that changed the course of Indian democracy.
I’m writing about this chapter because it shows one of the most important shifts in Indian political history. For students preparing for boards or entrance exams, this chapter helps explain how Indian democracy handled political instability. It also tells us how leaders like Indira Gandhi changed the game by centralising power, launching the Garibi Hatao campaign, and navigating through challenges like the 1967 elections and the 1971 Bangladesh war. As someone who loves political history, I believe this chapter gives us the real flavour of India’s political journey from stability to uncertainty—and back.
The Breakdown of the Congress System
1. The 1967 General Elections
- Marked a turning point in Indian politics
- Congress lost power in many states for the first time
- Several opposition parties came together to form non-Congress governments (called Samyukta Vidhayak Dal – SVD)
- It signalled a major loss of public confidence in the Congress
2. Rise of Regional and Opposition Parties
- Parties like DMK, Akali Dal, and Bharatiya Jana Sangh gained ground
- Congress faced internal splits due to leadership struggles
- These developments started a phase of coalition politics in many states
3. Indira Gandhi’s Strategy and Split in Congress
- In 1969, Congress split into two factions: Congress (O) led by Syndicate leaders and Congress (R) led by Indira Gandhi
- Indira took bold steps like nationalising banks and abolishing the privy purses of princes
- She portrayed herself as pro-poor and used the slogan Garibi Hatao in the 1971 elections
Restoration of the Congress System
1. Indira Gandhi’s Comeback
- Indira Gandhi’s Congress (R) won a clear majority in the 1971 elections
- Her image as a strong leader got stronger after India’s victory in the Bangladesh Liberation War
- She centralised power and weakened the position of regional Congress leaders
2. New Congress System
- The new Congress system was more centred around the Prime Minister’s leadership
- Earlier, Congress used to work as a broad umbrella party with collective leadership
- Now it was more about strong leadership from the top
3. Legacy of the Period
- The phase between 1967 and 1971 introduced Indians to multi-party democracy
- Opposition became more active
- Though Congress returned, it was clear that Indian voters were ready to challenge power when needed
Download PDF: NCERT Class 12 Political Science Part 2 Chapter 5 – Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System
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