PPT: Challenges to and Restoration of Congress System | Political Science Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


Challenges to and Restoration 
of the Congress System
Page 2


Challenges to and Restoration 
of the Congress System
Challenge of Political Succession
Nehru's Passing
Prime Minister Nehru died in May 1964. 
He had been sick for over a year. This led 
to questions about who would take over 
after him.
Doubts About Democracy
In a new country like India, Nehru's 
death raised a bigger question: what 
would happen to India after him? Many 
people wondered if India's democracy 
could survive without Nehru.
Fears of Instability
Some worried that India, like other new 
countries, might not handle the change 
in leadership well. They feared this 
could lead to the army taking over. Also, 
people doubted if the new leaders could 
solve the many problems facing the 
country.
Page 3


Challenges to and Restoration 
of the Congress System
Challenge of Political Succession
Nehru's Passing
Prime Minister Nehru died in May 1964. 
He had been sick for over a year. This led 
to questions about who would take over 
after him.
Doubts About Democracy
In a new country like India, Nehru's 
death raised a bigger question: what 
would happen to India after him? Many 
people wondered if India's democracy 
could survive without Nehru.
Fears of Instability
Some worried that India, like other new 
countries, might not handle the change 
in leadership well. They feared this 
could lead to the army taking over. Also, 
people doubted if the new leaders could 
solve the many problems facing the 
country.
From Nehru to Shastri
1
Smooth Succession
The ease with which the succession after 
Nehru took place proved all the critics wrong. 
When Nehru passed away, K. Kamraj, the 
president of the Congress party consulted 
party leaders and Congress members of 
Parliament and found that there was a 
consensus in favour of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
2
Shastri's Appointment
He was unanimously chosen as the leader of 
the Congress parliamentary party and thus 
became the country's next Prime Minister. 
Shastri was a non-controversial leader from 
Uttar Pradesh who had been a Minister in 
Nehru's cabinet for many years.
3
Challenges Faced
During Shastri's brief Prime Ministership, the 
country faced two major challenges. While 
India was still recovering from the economic 
implications of the war with China, failed 
monsoons, drought and serious food crisis 
presented a grave challenge. As discussed in 
the previous chapter, the country also faced a 
war with Pakistan in 1965.
4
Shastri's Legacy
Shastri's famous slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' , 
symbolised the country's resolve to face both 
these challenges. Shastri's Prime Ministership 
came to an abrupt end on 10 January 1966, 
when he suddenly expired in T ashkent, then in 
USSR and currently the capital of Uzbekistan.
Page 4


Challenges to and Restoration 
of the Congress System
Challenge of Political Succession
Nehru's Passing
Prime Minister Nehru died in May 1964. 
He had been sick for over a year. This led 
to questions about who would take over 
after him.
Doubts About Democracy
In a new country like India, Nehru's 
death raised a bigger question: what 
would happen to India after him? Many 
people wondered if India's democracy 
could survive without Nehru.
Fears of Instability
Some worried that India, like other new 
countries, might not handle the change 
in leadership well. They feared this 
could lead to the army taking over. Also, 
people doubted if the new leaders could 
solve the many problems facing the 
country.
From Nehru to Shastri
1
Smooth Succession
The ease with which the succession after 
Nehru took place proved all the critics wrong. 
When Nehru passed away, K. Kamraj, the 
president of the Congress party consulted 
party leaders and Congress members of 
Parliament and found that there was a 
consensus in favour of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
2
Shastri's Appointment
He was unanimously chosen as the leader of 
the Congress parliamentary party and thus 
became the country's next Prime Minister. 
Shastri was a non-controversial leader from 
Uttar Pradesh who had been a Minister in 
Nehru's cabinet for many years.
3
Challenges Faced
During Shastri's brief Prime Ministership, the 
country faced two major challenges. While 
India was still recovering from the economic 
implications of the war with China, failed 
monsoons, drought and serious food crisis 
presented a grave challenge. As discussed in 
the previous chapter, the country also faced a 
war with Pakistan in 1965.
4
Shastri's Legacy
Shastri's famous slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' , 
symbolised the country's resolve to face both 
these challenges. Shastri's Prime Ministership 
came to an abrupt end on 10 January 1966, 
when he suddenly expired in T ashkent, then in 
USSR and currently the capital of Uzbekistan.
Lal Bahadur Shastri 
(1904-1966)
1
Political Career
Prime Minister of India; participated in the freedom movement since 
1930; minister in UP cabinet; General Secretary of Congress; 
Minister in Union Cabinet from 1951 to 1956 when he resigned 
taking responsibility for the railway accident and later from 1957 to 
1964
2
Famous Slogan
Coined the famous slogan 'Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan'
Page 5


Challenges to and Restoration 
of the Congress System
Challenge of Political Succession
Nehru's Passing
Prime Minister Nehru died in May 1964. 
He had been sick for over a year. This led 
to questions about who would take over 
after him.
Doubts About Democracy
In a new country like India, Nehru's 
death raised a bigger question: what 
would happen to India after him? Many 
people wondered if India's democracy 
could survive without Nehru.
Fears of Instability
Some worried that India, like other new 
countries, might not handle the change 
in leadership well. They feared this 
could lead to the army taking over. Also, 
people doubted if the new leaders could 
solve the many problems facing the 
country.
From Nehru to Shastri
1
Smooth Succession
The ease with which the succession after 
Nehru took place proved all the critics wrong. 
When Nehru passed away, K. Kamraj, the 
president of the Congress party consulted 
party leaders and Congress members of 
Parliament and found that there was a 
consensus in favour of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
2
Shastri's Appointment
He was unanimously chosen as the leader of 
the Congress parliamentary party and thus 
became the country's next Prime Minister. 
Shastri was a non-controversial leader from 
Uttar Pradesh who had been a Minister in 
Nehru's cabinet for many years.
3
Challenges Faced
During Shastri's brief Prime Ministership, the 
country faced two major challenges. While 
India was still recovering from the economic 
implications of the war with China, failed 
monsoons, drought and serious food crisis 
presented a grave challenge. As discussed in 
the previous chapter, the country also faced a 
war with Pakistan in 1965.
4
Shastri's Legacy
Shastri's famous slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' , 
symbolised the country's resolve to face both 
these challenges. Shastri's Prime Ministership 
came to an abrupt end on 10 January 1966, 
when he suddenly expired in T ashkent, then in 
USSR and currently the capital of Uzbekistan.
Lal Bahadur Shastri 
(1904-1966)
1
Political Career
Prime Minister of India; participated in the freedom movement since 
1930; minister in UP cabinet; General Secretary of Congress; 
Minister in Union Cabinet from 1951 to 1956 when he resigned 
taking responsibility for the railway accident and later from 1957 to 
1964
2
Famous Slogan
Coined the famous slogan 'Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan'
From Shastri to Indira Gandhi
1
Succession 
Challenge
The Congress faced the 
challenge of political 
succession for the 
second time in two 
years. This time there 
was an intense 
competition between 
Morarji Desai and 
Indira Gandhi.
2
Leadership 
Contest
The contest was 
resolved through a 
secret ballot among 
Congress MPs. Indira 
Gandhi defeated 
Morarji Desai by 
securing the support of 
more than two-thirds 
of the party's MPs.
3
Transition of 
Power
A peaceful transition of 
power, despite intense 
competition for 
leadership, was seen as 
a sign of maturity of 
India's democracy
4
Indira's Early 
Challenges
It took some time 
before the new Prime 
Minister could settle 
down. While Indira 
Gandhi had been 
politically active for 
very long, she had 
served as a minister 
under Lal Bahadur 
Shastri only for a short 
period.