Fourth General Elections, 1967

1967 marked a significant shift in India’s political landscape, with the Congress party becoming the dominant force from 1952 to the 1967 elections.

Context of the Elections

The Indian political landscape was marked by significant changes, including the sudden deaths of two Prime Ministers and the appointment of a new Prime Minister. The economic crisis was exacerbated by monsoon failures, drought, decline in agricultural production, food shortages, depletion of foreign exchange reserves, and a rise in military expenditure. The Indira Gandhi government devalued the Indian rupee, leading to price rise and protests against the economic situation. The government saw these protests as law and order issues, reinforcing public unrest. The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) also participated in armed agrarian struggles and organized peasant agitations.

Non-Congressism

Opposition parties in India organized public protests and pressured the government, forming anti-Congress fronts in some states and adjusting electoral seats in others. They believed Indira Gandhi’s inexperience and internal factionalism offered an opportunity to topple Congress. Socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia called this strategy ‘non-Congressism’, arguing that Congress rule was undemocratic and opposed to the interests of ordinary poor people.

Electoral Verdict

In February 1967, the fourth general elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies were held, marking the Congress’s first time facing the electorate without Nehru. The election resulted in a ‘political earthquake’, with the Congress gaining a majority in the Lok Sabha but losing its lowest tally of seats and share of votes since 1952. Half of Indira Gandhi’s cabinet ministers were defeated, and political stalwarts like Kamaraj in Tamil Nadu, S.K. Patil in Maharashtra, Atulya Ghosh in West Bengal, and K. B. Sahay in Bihar lost their constituencies.

The Congress lost power in nine states across the country, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Madras, and Kerala. In Madras State, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) won power by securing a clear majority, marking the first time any non-Congress party had secured a majority in any state. In the other eight states, coalition governments consisting of different non-Congress parties were formed.

Coalitions

The 1967 elections highlighted the concept of coalitions, where non-Congress parties formed joint legislative parties to support non-Congress governments. These governments were known as SVD governments, and often had ideologically incongruent partners. For example, in Bihar, the SVD government included socialist parties, the CPI, and Jana Sangh, while in Punjab, it was called the ‘Popular United Front’ and included rival Akali parties, communist parties, the SSP, the Republican Party, and Bharatiya Jana Sangh.

Defection

After the 1967 election, defections played a significant role in the formation and dissolution of governments in states. Congress legislators, who left their party, installed non-Congress governments in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. This period saw constant realignments and shifting political loyalties, leading to the expression ‘Aya Ram, Gaya Ram’.

Class 12 Political Science Chapter 5 Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System looks into the complicated mechanics of India’s Congress System, analyzing its struggles and final restoration. The Congress System, defined by the Indian National Congress party’s dominance in the political landscape following independence, faced many difficulties and disturbances. This chapter explores the evolution of the Congress System, the rise of new political forces, and the measures used to regain its dominance in the face of shifting political perspectives. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the complexity of Indian politics during this critical period.

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