6. a) Decline of the Congress System
Introduction
The Congress Party dominated Indian politics from 1947 to the late 1960s, a period known as the “Congress System”, coined by Rajni Kothari. However, after its peak in the 1950s and early 1960s, the party began to decline due to internal conflicts, regional aspirations, economic issues, and the rise of opposition parties. The downfall of the Congress system marked a shift from a one-party dominance to a multi-party democracy in India.
Causes of the Decline of the Congress System
1. Internal Conflicts and Leadership Crisis
- The death of Jawaharlal Nehru (1964) and Lal Bahadur Shastri (1966) led to a leadership vacuum.
- Indira Gandhi’s rise caused factionalism, with senior leaders like Morarji Desai and K. Kamaraj opposing her.
2. Split of Congress in 1969
- The party split into Congress (O) led by Morarji Desai and Congress (I) led by Indira Gandhi.
- This weakened the party’s central control and fragmented its vote base.
3. Economic Crisis and Public Discontent
- The 1970s economic crisis, including inflation, unemployment, and food shortages, led to dissatisfaction among voters.
- The 1975 Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi further alienated the public, leading to the Congress’ defeat in 1977.
4. Rise of Regional and Caste-Based Parties
- The Janata Party (1977) and BJP (1980s) challenged the Congress’ national dominance.
- Regional parties like DMK, AIADMK, TDP, SP, and BSP emerged, weakening Congress’ control over states.
5. Corruption and Scandals
- The Bofors Scandal (1980s) during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure damaged the party’s reputation.
- The V.P. Singh government (1989) capitalized on corruption allegations, leading to Congress’ defeat.
6. Rise of Coalition Politics
- The 1990s saw the rise of coalition governments, reducing Congress’ ability to form a majority on its own.
- The emergence of NDA (led by BJP) and UPA (led by Congress) ended single-party dominance.
Impact of Congress’ Decline
- Strengthening of multiparty democracy in India.
- Increased role of regional and caste-based parties.
- Shift from a centralized Congress-led system to coalition governance.
Despite its decline, Congress remains a key player in Indian politics but faces challenges from BJP and regional parties.
6. b) Reorganisation of States in Independent India
Introduction
Before independence, India was divided into British provinces and princely states. After 1947, reorganizing these states became a necessity for administrative efficiency and regional stability. The States Reorganisation Act (1956) played a crucial role in shaping India’s federal structure.
Phases of State Reorganisation
1. Integration of Princely States (1947-1950)
- Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon integrated 565 princely states into the Indian Union through diplomacy and military action.
- Key mergers: Junagadh, Hyderabad (Operation Polo), and Kashmir (Instrument of Accession).
2. Linguistic Reorganisation (1953-1956)
- Demand for linguistic states led to the creation of Andhra Pradesh in 1953, following the death of Potti Sriramulu.
- The Fazal Ali Commission (1955) recommended state reorganization on linguistic lines.
- The States Reorganisation Act (1956) created 14 states and 6 Union Territories based on language.
3. Further Reorganisation (1960s-1980s)
- 1960: Bombay state split into Maharashtra and Gujarat.
- 1966: Punjab divided into Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh based on linguistic and religious lines.
4. Creation of New States (2000 & 2014)
- 2000: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand were created.
- 2014: Telangana was formed, splitting from Andhra Pradesh.
Impact of State Reorganisation
- Strengthened federalism by recognizing regional and linguistic identities.
- Improved governance and administration.
- Reduced regional conflicts but also led to new demands for states like Gorkhaland and Vidarbha.
State reorganisation continues to be a dynamic issue, reflecting India’s diverse and evolving political landscape.
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