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

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Q1: After Jawaharlal Nehru's death, the discussion of political successor started, and Lal Bahadur Shastri was chosen as the Prime Minister through consultation because of his __________ and ___________.
Ans: loyalty, responsibility
After Jawaharlal Nehru's death, the discussion of a political successor started, and Lal Bahadur Shastri was chosen as the Prime Minister through consultation because of his loyalty and responsibility towards his post.

Q2: In the 1967 elections, due to constant realignments, the term 'Aya Ram, Gaya Ram' was coined, indicating ____________.
Ans: political defections
In the 1967 elections, due to constant realignments, the term 'Aya Ram, Gaya Ram' was coined, indicating political defections as elected representatives frequently switched their party affiliations.

Q3: Indira Gandhi announced the nationalization of __________ leading private banks and the abolition of the 'privy purse,' leading to the formal split in the party.
Ans: fourteen
Indira Gandhi announced the nationalization of fourteen leading private banks and the abolition of the 'privy purse,' leading to the formal split in the party.

Q4: The famous slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' symbolized India's resolve during ____________.
Ans: Shastri's tenure
The famous slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' symbolized India's resolve during Lal Bahadur Shastri's tenure as Prime Minister, emphasizing the importance of both the armed forces and farmers.

Q5: The political alliance formed by non-communist, non-congress opposition parties in the 1971 elections was known as ____________.
Ans: Grand Alliance
The political alliance formed by non-communist, non-Congress opposition parties in the 1971 elections was known as the Grand Alliance, aiming to challenge Indira Gandhi's leadership.

Q6: The year 1967 is considered a landmark year due to India's political and electoral history because it marked the rise of ____________.
Ans: coalitions
The year 1967 is considered a landmark year due to India's political and electoral history because it marked the rise of coalitions, where various non-Congress parties came together to form joint legislative parties.

Q7: The term 'Syndicate' referred to a group of powerful and influential leaders within the ____________ party.
Ans: Congress
The term 'Syndicate' referred to a group of powerful and influential leaders within the Congress party, representing internal power dynamics and conflicts.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: The 1967 elections marked a significant shift in Indian politics.
Reason: Constant realignments and shifting political loyalties gave rise to the expression 'Aya Ram, Gaya Ram.'
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false.
Ans: (a)
The assertion correctly states that the 1967 elections marked a significant shift in Indian politics. The reason also accurately explains why this shift occurred, stating that constant realignments and shifting political loyalties gave rise to the expression 'Aya Ram, Gaya Ram.' The term 'Aya Ram, Gaya Ram' is used to describe the frequent political defections, where elected representatives would switch their party affiliations. This phenomenon was a result of the realignments and shifting loyalties within political parties, especially the Congress.

Q2: Assertion: The 'Grand Alliance' in the 1971 elections failed to secure a significant number of seats.
Reason: Indira Gandhi's positive political strategy, encapsulated in the slogan 'Garibi Hatao,' gained widespread support.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false.
Ans: (a)
The assertion correctly states that the 'Grand Alliance' in the 1971 elections failed to secure a significant number of seats. The reason is also accurate and provides a valid explanation. It states that Indira Gandhi's positive political strategy, encapsulated in the slogan 'Garibi Hatao,' gained widespread support. Indira Gandhi's strategy to address poverty and economic disparities resonated with voters, leading to the failure of the Grand Alliance's goal to remove her from power.

Q3: Assertion: The term 'Syndicate' referred to a group of powerful leaders within the Congress.
Reason: Indira Gandhi faced challenges from the Syndicate, which led to a split in the party.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false.
Ans: (a)
The assertion accurately states that the term 'Syndicate' referred to a group of powerful leaders within the Congress. The reason also correctly explains why the term 'Syndicate' was significant. It states that Indira Gandhi faced challenges from the Syndicate, which eventually led to a split in the party. This split within the Congress party during the late 1960s was a result of the power struggle between Indira Gandhi and the influential leaders of the Syndicate, making the reason a correct explanation for the assertion.

Q4: Assertion: The slogan 'Garibi Hatao' was a part of Indira Gandhi's political strategy to build an independent political support base.
Reason: The positive programmes advocated by Indira Gandhi strengthened the spaces for democratic expression.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false.
Ans: (a)
The assertion is accurate in stating that the slogan 'Garibi Hatao' was a part of Indira Gandhi's political strategy to build an independent political support base. The reason also correctly explains the impact of the positive programs advocated by Indira Gandhi. It states that these programs strengthened the spaces for democratic expression. Indira Gandhi's 'Garibi Hatao' slogan aimed to address economic disparities and poverty, creating a positive political agenda. This strategy indeed helped her build a broad support base, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. The programs to reduce poverty and increase economic well-being opened avenues for democratic expression as people rallied around these issues.

Very Short Answer Type Answer

Q1: Who succeeded Jawaharlal Nehru as the Prime Minister?
Ans: Lal Bahadur Shastri

Q2: What did the slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' symbolize?
Ans: India's resolve during the food crisis and the 1965 war with Pakistan.

Q3: What phenomenon did the 1967 elections bring into the picture?
Ans: Coalitions

Q4: What was the term coined for the frequent political defections during this period?
Ans: 'Aya Ram, Gaya Ram'

Q5: Who was the leader backed by senior party leaders after Lal Bahadur Shastri's death?
Ans: Indira Gandhi

Q6: What did the Grand Alliance focus on during the 1971 elections?
Ans: Removing Indira Gandhi from power (Indira Hatao).

Q7: Which event marked the formal split in the Congress party?
Ans: The defeat of the official Congress candidate in the Presidential election of 1969.

Q8: What did Indira Gandhi announce regarding banks, leading to the split in the party?
Ans: Nationalization of fourteen leading private banks.

Q9: Who were the two main contenders for succession after Lal Bahadur Shastri's death?
Ans: Morarji Desai and Indira Gandhi

Q10: What strategy did Ram Manohar Lohia give the name 'Tion-congressism'?
Ans: The strategy of non-Congress parties to topple the Congress due to internal fractionalism and Indira Gandhi's inexperience.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the challenges faced by Lal Bahadur Shastri during his tenure as Prime Minister from 1964 to 1966.
Ans: Shastri faced a serious food crisis and a war with Pakistan in 1965. His famous slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' symbolized the nation's determination to overcome these challenges.

Q2: Describe the political scenario during the fourth general elections in 1967 and its impact on the Congress party.
Ans: The 1967 elections were marked by rising prices, economic issues, and Hindu-Muslim riots. The opposition parties formed coalitions and capitalized on the Congress's internal fractionalism, leading to the Congress's loss in several seats. The Congress faced defections, leading to the expression 'Aya Ram, Gaya Ram,' indicating frequent political realignments.

Q3: Explain the split within the Congress party after the 1967 elections.
Ans: The split occurred due to differences between Indira Gandhi and the powerful leaders within the Congress known as the 'Syndicate.' Indira Gandhi aimed to build her independence from the Syndicate and regain the ground lost in the 1967 elections. The split was formalized during the Presidential election of 1969 when Indira Gandhi's candidate, W Giri, won against the Syndicate-supported candidate, N. Sanjeeva Reddy.

Q4: Discuss the factors that led to the formation of the Grand Alliance during the 1971 elections and its outcome.
Ans: The Grand Alliance was formed by major non-communist, non-Congress opposition parties to challenge Indira Gandhi's leadership. Indira Gandhi's positive political strategy, encapsulated in the slogan 'Garibi Hatao,' gained widespread support. The Congress (R) – CPI alliance won 375 seats, securing 48.4 percent of the votes, while Indira Gandhi's Congress (R) won 352 seats with about 44 percent of the popular votes.

Q5: What role did the term 'Syndicate' play in the political scenario of the 1960s and early 1970s?
Ans: The 'Syndicate' referred to a group of powerful leaders within the Congress party who exerted significant influence. Indira Gandhi faced challenges from the Syndicate, leading to internal factionalism and eventually the split in the Congress party. The term became synonymous with the internal power struggle within the Congress during that period.

Q6: How did the 1967 elections pave the way for coalition politics in India?
Ans: The 1967 elections resulted in a fractured mandate, with no single party gaining a majority. Various non-Congress parties came together to form joint legislative parties, leading to the formation of coalitions. This marked the beginning of coalition politics in India, where parties collaborated to secure a majority and form governments.

Q7: Explain the significance of the slogan 'Garibi Hatao' in Indira Gandhi's political strategy.
Ans: 'Garibi Hatao' (Remove Poverty) was Indira Gandhi's slogan during the 1971 elections. It represented a positive political strategy aimed at addressing economic disparities and poverty in India. The slogan helped Indira Gandhi build an independent nationwide political support base, leading to the Congress's victory in the 1971 elections.

Q8: How did the split within the Congress party in the late 1960s impact Indian politics?
Ans: The split within the Congress party led to the emergence of new political dynamics and power structures. Indira Gandhi's faction, despite facing challenges, gained widespread support and redefined the party's identity. This split also paved the way for coalition politics, as various parties aligned themselves strategically to gain political influence.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: Discuss the challenges faced by Indira Gandhi from the Syndicate and how she overcame these challenges to establish her leadership.
Ans: The Syndicate, composed of influential leaders within the Congress party, posed a significant challenge to Indira Gandhi's leadership. They sought to control the party and limit Indira Gandhi's authority, considering her inexperienced for the role of Prime Minister.
To overcome these challenges, Indira Gandhi focused on building her independence from the Syndicate and asserting her leadership through decisive actions. She implemented populist policies, such as bank nationalization and the abolition of the 'privy purse,' gaining massive support from the masses. Additionally, Indira Gandhi's political acumen was evident when she supported W Giri against the Syndicate's candidate in the 1969 Presidential election, formalizing the split in the party.
As a result of her strategies, Indira Gandhi emerged as a powerful leader, leading her faction of the Congress party. Her victory in the 1971 elections further solidified her position, redefining the Congress party's identity under her dynamic leadership.

Q2: Analyze the impact of the 1967 elections on Indian politics, focusing on the rise of coalition politics and its consequences.
Ans: The 1967 elections marked a significant shift in Indian politics due to rising prices, economic issues, and social unrest. The fractured mandate led to the rise of coalition politics as no single party gained a majority.
As a consequence, various non-Congress parties formed joint legislative parties, resulting in the formation of coalitions at both national and state levels. This shift to coalition politics became a prominent feature of Indian democracy, accommodating diverse political ideologies and regional aspirations.
However, coalition governments also faced challenges. Governments became more fragile, necessitating constant negotiations and realignments among coalition partners. Policy implementation often faced obstacles due to differing ideologies within coalition governments, impacting stability and governance. In the long-term, coalition politics continues to shape Indian politics, influencing policy decisions, government stability, and alliances. It has led to a more diverse political landscape, accommodating regional parties and smaller political entities, fostering federalism in Indian politics.

Q3: Explain the role of the Grand Alliance in the 1971 elections and its significance in shaping the political landscape.
Ans: The Grand Alliance was formed by major non-communist, non-Congress opposition parties to challenge Indira Gandhi's leadership in the 1971 elections. They aimed to remove Indira Gandhi from power and presented a unified front against her party. However, Indira Gandhi's positive political strategy, encapsulated in the slogan 'Garibi Hatao,' gained widespread support, countering the Grand Alliance's agenda. The Grand Alliance's failure demonstrated the effectiveness of Indira Gandhi's political strategy and the support she had among the masses.
The significance of the Grand Alliance lies in its impact on shaping the political landscape. It showcased the importance of a positive political agenda in winning public trust and votes, influencing future political campaigns. The 1971 elections solidified Indira Gandhi's position, enabling her to redefine the Congress party and establish her dominance in Indian politics for the next decade.

Q4: Evaluate the impact of the split within the Congress party in the late 1960s on Indian politics.
Ans: The split within the Congress party in the late 1960s had a significant impact on Indian politics, leading to the emergence of new political dynamics and power structures. Indira Gandhi's faction, despite challenges, gained widespread support, redefining the party's identity. The split also paved the way for coalition politics, as various parties aligned strategically to gain political influence. This shift to coalition politics affected governance, with policies becoming more populist to gain public favor, influencing economic and social decisions.
Furthermore, the split within the Congress party affected political stability, as governments frequently changed, impacting long-term policy implementation. Opposition parties gained ground, capitalizing on the Congress party's internal conflicts. Coalition politics became a norm, leading to diverse political alignments and shaping future alliances.
In conclusion, the split within the Congress party in the late 1960s significantly impacted Indian politics, fostering coalition politics, reshaping the political landscape, and influencing policies, governance, and electoral strategies.