Sure Shot Questions: Era of One Party Dominance | Political Science Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Introduction

The chapter "Era of One Party Dominance" from Class 12 Political Science explores the Indian National Congress's dominance in Indian politics from 1947 to 1967, particularly during the first three general elections (1952, 1957, 1962). By analysing previous year question papers, we’ve identified recurring question types and patterns that align with CBSE’s exam framework. Based on these trends and the syllabus’s emphasis, we’ve compiled a list of high-probability questions likely to appear in the upcoming exam. These predictions are rooted in the frequency and style of past questions, ensuring focused preparation. 

Key Questions

Q1: Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India, and in which year was the Election Commission established?
Ans: Sukumar Sen; the Election Commission was established on January 25, 1950.

Q2: Which political party emphasized the idea of one country, one culture, and one nation?
Ans: Bharatiya Jana Sangh.

Q3: Name two states where Congress did not form the government despite its dominance in the 1952 elections.
Ans: Kerala and Madras (now Tamil Nadu).

Q4: What was the main criticism of the Swatantra Party regarding Congress’s economic policies?
Ans: The Swatantra Party criticized Congress for excessive state intervention in the economy, advocating for a free private sector.

Q5: Why was the Congress Party called a ‘rainbow-like’ social coalition by the time of independence?
Ans: Congress united diverse groups—peasants, industrialists, urban and rural dwellers, workers, and various castes and religions—representing India’s social and cultural diversity.

Q6: Explain the nature of the Congress Party as an ideological coalition during the freedom movement. 
Ans:  

• Congress accommodated revolutionary, pacifist, conservative, radical, extremist, and moderate groups, representing ideologies from the right, left, and center.  
• It served as a platform for various interest groups and political parties to participate in the national movement, reflecting India’s diversity.

Q7: Highlight two advantages of coalition governments. 
Ans:  

• Stability through inclusion: Coalition governments accommodate diverse groups, ensuring stable governance.  
• Regional representation: They give voice to regional parties, addressing local aspirations and strengthening federalism.

Q8: In which year was the first coalition government formed in India, and why? 
Ans: The first coalition government was formed in 1989 because no single party, including Congress, secured a clear majority in the Lok Sabha elections. V.P. Singh led the National Front with support from Janata Dal, BJP, and the Left Front.

Q9: What were the major challenges faced during India’s first general election in 1952?
Ans:  

• Illiteracy: Only 16% of the population was literate, complicating voter education.  
• Logistical issues: Managing 17 crore voters and setting up polling stations across a vast country was challenging.  
• Lack of infrastructure: Limited communication and technology hindered election organization.

Q10: Highlight two reasons for the split in the Congress Party in 1969. 
Ans:  

• Conflict with the Syndicate: Differences between Indira Gandhi and senior Congress leaders (the Syndicate) over leadership and policies.  
• Presidential candidacy: The Syndicate’s support for N. Sanjiva Reddy and Indira Gandhi’s backing of V.V. Giri for President led to a formal split.

Q11: How did the coalition-like character of the Congress Party contribute to its political strength?
Ans:  

• Inclusivity: Congress accommodated diverse groups, balancing contradictory interests like peasants and industrialists, ensuring broad support. 
• Faction management: It tolerated internal differences, preventing groups from leaving to form opposition parties, thus maintaining unity.

Q12: What were the key ideological differences between the Congress Party and the Bharatiya Jana Sangh?
Ans:  

• Congress promoted secularism and accommodated diverse cultures, while BJS emphasized Hindu nationalism with the slogan of one country, one culture, one nation.  
• Congress supported minority rights, while BJS opposed concessions to religious minorities and advocated for Akhand Bharat.

Q13: How did the dominance of the Congress Party in the first three general elections help establish a democratic setup in India?
Ans:  

• Proved democracy’s viability: The 1952 elections, with high voter participation, showed democracy could work in a poor, illiterate country.  
• Fair elections: Free and fair elections, accepted by losers, strengthened democratic norms.  
• Inclusivity: Congress’s accommodation of diverse groups ensured representation, fostering democratic stability.

Q14: Passage-Based: Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:
Passage: The first general elections in India, held from October 1951 to February 1952, were the largest democratic exercise in the world at the time. Over 17 crore voters participated, electing 489 Lok Sabha members and 3,200 MLAs. The Election Commission, under Sukumar Sen, faced challenges like widespread illiteracy and logistical issues. Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, won 364 seats, proving democracy could thrive in a poor, diverse nation.
(i) Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India?
(ii) What were the major challenges faced during the first general elections?
(iii) Why was the first general election significant? 
Ans:
(i) Sukumar Sen
(ii) Challenges:  

• Widespread illiteracy (16% literacy) required voter education through symbols.  
• Logistical difficulties in managing 17 crore voters and setting up polling stations.

(iii) Significance: It proved democracy could succeed in a poor, diverse nation, setting a global precedent.

Q15: Passage-Based: Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:
Passage: In 1957, the Communist Party of India (CPI), led by E.M.S. Namboodiripad, formed the first democratically elected Communist government in Kerala. Its land and education reforms faced opposition from landlords and religious groups. The Congress-led central government dismissed the CPI government in 1959 using Article 356, sparking controversy.
(i) Which state elected the first Communist government? (1 Mark)
(ii) Why was the CPI government in Kerala dismissed? (2 Marks)
(iii) Why was the dismissal controversial? (1 Mark)
Ans:
(i) Kerala
(ii) Reasons:  

• Congress used Article 356 to dismiss the elected government.  
• Protests by landlords and religious groups against CPI’s reforms fueled tensions.

(iii) Controversy: It was seen as a misuse of constitutional powers to undermine a democratically elected state government.

Important Topics

• Congress Dominance: Legacy of the freedom struggle, organizational strength, and ability to accommodate diverse social and ideological groups.
• First General Elections (1952): Challenges (illiteracy, logistics), significance as a global democratic milestone, and Congress’s victory (364 seats).
• Opposition Parties: Ideologies and roles of CPI, Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Swatantra Party, and Socialist Party in shaping political discourse.
• Coalition Nature of Congress: Accommodation of factions, tolerance of internal differences, and its impact on political stability.
• Comparison with Other Countries: India’s democratic one-party dominance vs. Mexico’s PRI dictatorship.
• Key Events: Congress split in 1969, CPI’s Kerala government (1957), and dismissal using Article 356 in 1959.
• Electoral Innovations: Role of the Election Commission, transition from ballot papers to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) by 1990.

Preparation Tips

• Memorize Key Dates: Focus on 1952 (first general election), 1950 (Constitution and Election Commission), 1951 (BJS formation), 1957 (CPI’s Kerala win), 1959 (Swatantra Party formation), and 1969 (Congress split).
• Understand Ideologies: Study the ideological differences between Congress (secular, inclusive), BJS (Hindu nationalism), CPI (communism), and Swatantra Party (free market).
• Practice Passage-Based Questions: Solve questions on the 1952 elections, CPI’s Kerala government, and Congress’s coalition nature to improve analytical skills.
• Focus on Comparisons: Compare India’s democratic dominance with Mexico’s PRI system for long-answer questions.
• Revise Leaders and Parties: Know key figures like Sukumar Sen, Nehru, EMS Namboodiripad, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, and C. Rajagopalachari, and their contributions.
• Use Visual Aids: Create timelines for key events (1947–1969) and charts comparing party ideologies to aid revision.