Question

Discuss the importance of the national election of 1967.

Answer 1

1. The Indian people elected the fourth Lok Sabha in 1967. Despite losing 70 seats since 1962, the Indian National Congress remained in power because of its sweeping win.
2. While that happened, the Congress Party divided into groups. Famous people Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Sastri died. Indira Gandhi, daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, succeeded Lal Bahadur Sastri as boss.
3. Soon after, she parted with Deputy Prime Minister Morarji Desai, her 1966 party leadership opponent. Alternative parties working together was crucial to the 1967 election. They created anti-Congress factions in various regions.
4. Other times, they shared seats and avoided races to modify the voting system. Despite differing views, their single purpose was to defeat Congress.
5. How badly Congress lost the 1967 race is also noteworthy. The Congress party retained Lok Sabha power, but its majority shrank.
6. Congress lost its majority in the Eighth State Congress. Kerala, Orissa, Madras, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. U.P., Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana’s primary opposition was Jan Sangh. 
7. Swatantra was in Orissa, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat. It was the SSP in Bihar and the Communist Party in West Bengal and Kerala.