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Introduction
The widespread discontent and resentment triggered by the imposition of the Emergency by Indira Gandhi resulted in several political parties joining forces to contest the general elections as a coalition. The Janata Party, running with the symbol of 'chakra-haldhar,' and its allies secured a significant majority in the 1977 elections.
Logo of Janata Party
Morarji Desai, The First Non-Congress Prime Minister
- Three contenders vied for the prime ministerial post: Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, and Jagjivan Ram.
- The decision on the prime minister was entrusted to Acharya Knpalani and Jayaprakash Narayan.
- Morarji Desai emerged as the chosen candidate and assumed office, taking the oath as the prime minister on March 23, 1977.
Morarji Desai
- Charan Singh, initially serving as the minister of home and later as the minister of finance, was appointed as one of the deputy prime ministers.
- Jagjivan Ram, holding the position of defense minister, was also appointed as a deputy prime minister.
Question for Spectrum Summary: The Janata Party Years (March 1977 – January 1980)Try yourself: Who emerged as the chosen candidate for the prime ministerial post in the 1977 general elections?View Solution
Fresh State Assembly Elections
- The prevailing sentiment of dissatisfaction with the Congress led to a decision to dissolve state assemblies where the party held a majority.
- Fresh elections in June 1977 resulted in the Janata Party forming governments in several key states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh.
- A coalition government was formed in Punjab as the Janata Party collaborated with the Akali Dal.
- In Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK secured a victory in the elections, with M.G. Ramachandran becoming the head of the government. Notably, his administration prioritized non-confrontational politics with the central government and initiated the pioneering mid-day meal scheme to promote school attendance, especially among girls.
Jyoti Basu
- West Bengal saw a coalition of left parties winning with a significant majority, and Jyoti Basu assumed the position of chief minister. The government embarked on agrarian reforms, benefiting a substantial number of impoverished peasants.
- In Jammu and Kashmir, the Morarji Desai government dissolved the assembly, prompting fresh polls. Sheikh Abdullah revived the National Conference, and in the state's first truly fair and free elections since independence, his party secured a comfortable majority.
- However, a noticeable divide emerged between the Muslim-dominated Valley and the Hindu-dominated Jammu, with the National Conference facing challenges in the latter region.
New President of India
Exerting influence over the majority of states, the Janata Party successfully secured the election of its candidate, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, as the President of India in June 1977. The need for the presidential election arose due to the unfortunate passing of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed in February of the same year.
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
Downslide of Janata Party and Rise of Congress (I)
- The Janata government experienced internal conflicts due to marked differences on ideological and political lines, leading to its eventual downfall.
- Leaders' focus on seeking revenge against Indira Gandhi further contributed to the party's disunity and decline.
- Various commissions were established to investigate alleged malpractices by Indira Gandhi and her son, but most allegations could not be substantiated, and few convictions were obtained.
- The Belchi incident in Bihar, involving violence against Harijans, was seized upon by Indira Gandhi to portray the Janata government as indifferent to the poor. She positioned herself as a champion of the marginalized.
- Charan Singh's relentless pursuit of Indira Gandhi worked to her advantage, and her critical speeches against the government gained momentum.
- The Congress split in January 1978, with Indira Gandhi leading the faction known as Congress-I. Her party secured victories in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh state assembly elections.
Harijan Colony
- Despite disqualification from her membership due to misleading the House on the Maruti enterprise, Indira Gandhi won a seat in Chikmagalur, gaining sympathy and popularity.
- Internal differences within the Janata Party escalated, leading to the dismissal of Charan Singh and Raj Narain in mid-1978 by Morarji Desai.
- Charan Singh's retaliation included organizing a farmers' protest march to Delhi in December 1978.
- Efforts to maintain peace led to Charan Singh's recall to the cabinet in February 1979, but the deepening divide persisted.
- The Socialists sided with Charan Singh, and the Jana Sangh supported Desai, intensifying the issue of 'dual membership.'
- The Socialists and Charan Singh's party left the coalition, reducing the government to a minority.
- Despite unsuccessful attempts to gain support from Congress factions, the Morarji Desai government resigned in July 1979.
Question for Spectrum Summary: The Janata Party Years (March 1977 – January 1980)Try yourself: Which amendment was implemented by the Janata Party government to counteract democracy-throttling measures of the Forty-second Amendment?View Solution
Charan Singh, the Prime Minister Who Never Faced Parliament
- Following negotiations, Charan Singh, despite past conflicts with Indira Gandhi, sought her support for a government led by him.
- With a letter of support from the Congress, Charan Singh convinced the president that he could secure a majority in the Lok Sabha.
- Sworn in as prime minister in late July, he faced a crucial vote of confidence in the House.
- Despite delivering a prime minister's speech from the Red Fort on Independence Day, Charan Singh never faced Parliament, as just before the confidence vote, Indira Gandhi withdrew her support.
Charan Singh
- The withdrawal stemmed from Charan Singh's refusal to disband the special courts set up to prosecute Indira Gandhi.
- With no alternative, Charan Singh had to resign, prompting the president to explore other options for government formation, but none proved viable.
- Eventually, the Lok Sabha was dissolved, and fresh elections were called.
- Charan Singh remained caretaker prime minister until new elections could take place.
Fresh Lok Sabha Elections and End of Janata Party Rule
- Lok Sabha elections occurred in January 1980 with several key parties vying for power.
- The participating parties included the Congress (I), Congress (U), Lok Dal, and the Socialists, with Janata now comprising primarily of Jana Sangh and old Congress members like Jagjivan Ram and Chandra Shekhar.
- The CPM and CPI had a presence only in West Bengal and Kerala.
- Indira Gandhi strategically focused on presenting a government capable of effective governance, capitalizing on public discontent with the Janata Party's governance issues and internal conflicts.
Indira Gandhi
- The electorate, weary of the Janata's governance challenges and constant internal disputes, gave their mandate in favor of the Congress (I), endorsing the perception that it was the true successor of the Congress legacy.
- In the aftermath, the Janata Party fragmented into various entities, including Janata Dal, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Samajwadi Party, among others.
Question for Spectrum Summary: The Janata Party Years (March 1977 – January 1980)Try yourself: Which political party emerged as the majority in the 1977 general elections in India?View Solution
Legacy of Janata Party Rule
The Janata Party government marked a significant shift as the first non-Congress government and the inaugural coalition government at the Centre. Despite its brief tenure, the government made valuable contributions to Indian polity.
Restoration of Democratic Rights
- Swift actions were taken by the Janata government to reverse draconian measures of the Emergency era.
- Media censorship was lifted, and controversial executive decrees were repealed.
- Efforts were made to repair the Constitution from the Emergency's impact, reviving open parliamentary practices and reinstating the independence of the judiciary.
- Under Law Minister Shanti Bhushan, amendments were implemented to counteract democracy-throttling measures of the Forty-second Amendment.
- The Forty-third Amendment in 1977 eliminated Article 31D, restoring legislative powers to states for anti-national activities, ensuring judicial power to invalidate laws, and empowering high courts to decide constitutional validity.
Shanti Bhushan
Economic Contradictions
- The Janata Party lacked a single ideology, comprising members with diverse backgrounds such as veteran socialists, trade unionists, and pro-business leaders.
- Major economic reforms were challenging due to this ideological diversity.
- The government launched the Sixth Five-Year Plan, aiming to boost agricultural production and rural industries. Policies by the industries ministry, led by George Fernandes, focused on economic self-reliance and indigenous industries.
- Despite initiatives in railways by Madhu Dandavate, no effective alternative policy was developed to address urgent economic issues like inflation, unemployment, fuel shortages, and poverty.
Question for Spectrum Summary: The Janata Party Years (March 1977 – January 1980)Try yourself: What notable foreign policy shift occurred during the Janata government?View Solution
Foreign Relations
- Efforts were made to improve ties with the US during the Janata government, marked by a visit from President Jimmy Carter.
- Genuine non-alignment was emphasized, maintaining cordial relations with the USSR. Vajpayee represented India at the UN conference on nuclear disarmament.
- A notable foreign policy shift was the effort to normalize of ties with China. In 1979, Vajpayee became the highest-ranking Indian official to visit Beijing, leading to the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between India and China.
Foreign Policy of India
Social Changes and Movements
- The late 1970s witnessed political and social upheaval, marked by politicians prioritizing expediency over ideology and societal sections asserting themselves.
- New social movements emerged, including feminist and environmentalist movements, alongside continued efforts in areas like trade unions, mines, equal wages, education, health, and safety.
- The OBCs, empowered through economic gains and political influence, sought representation in the administrative system, leading to the appointment of the Mandal Commission in January 1979 to examine OBC reservations in the central administrative system.
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FAQs on Spectrum Summary: The Janata Party Years (March 1977 – January 1980) - History for UPSC CSE
| 1. Who was Morarji Desai? |  |
Ans. Morarji Desai was the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India. He served as the Prime Minister from 1977 to 1979. Desai was a prominent leader of the Janata Party and played a crucial role in the fight against the Congress party's dominance in Indian politics.
| 2. What was the significance of the fresh state assembly elections? | |
Ans. The fresh state assembly elections were significant as they marked a shift in the political landscape of India. The Janata Party, a coalition of opposition parties, was able to secure a majority in several state assemblies, indicating a growing discontent with the Congress party's rule and setting the stage for their victory in the subsequent Lok Sabha elections.
| 3. Who was the new President of India during this period? | |
Ans. The new President of India during this period was Neelam Sanjiva Reddy. He served as the President from 1977 to 1982. Reddy was a prominent leader of the Janata Party and his election as President further solidified the party's position in the country.
| 4. What led to the downfall of the Janata Party and the rise of Congress? | |
Ans. The downfall of the Janata Party can be attributed to various factors. Internal power struggles and differences among the coalition partners weakened the party's unity. Additionally, economic challenges and failure to fulfill electoral promises also contributed to the decline. On the other hand, the Congress party capitalized on the Janata Party's shortcomings and regained popularity among the voters, leading to their eventual rise to power.
| 5. Who was Charan Singh and why did he never face Parliament as Prime Minister? | |
Ans. Charan Singh was a prominent leader of the Janata Party and served as the Prime Minister of India for a brief period in 1979. However, he never faced Parliament as Prime Minister due to the withdrawal of support by the Congress party. This led to the dissolution of the Janata Party government and the subsequent formation of a new government under the leadership of Indira Gandhi.
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