Question

Explain any four reasons for the dominance of the Congress Party in the first three general elections in India.

Explain any two reasons for the dominance of the Congress Party in the first three general elections.

Explain any three reasons for the dominance of Congress Party in the first three general elections in India.

Answer 1

Four reasons for the dominance of the Congress Party in the first three general elections in India:

1. The Congress Party had inherited the legacy of the National Movement. Moreover, it was the only political party to have an organization spread all over the country.
2. The Congress Party had the most popular and charismatic leader in Nehruji. The party got 364 of the 489 seats in the first Lok Sabha elections and finished way ahead of any other challenger.
3. It was already a well-organized party and till other parties could reach up to their level, Congress had already begun with its campaigning. This gave the party ‘first off the blocks’ advantage.
4. By the time the country was independent, the party had spread its wings to the local level.
5. In the second and third general elections held in 1957 and 1962, respectively, the Congress Party kept its position intact in the Lok Sabha. This was due to the First Past the Post system followed in our electoral process.
6. Many leaders who had been at the forefront of the national struggle were now running for Congress.

In this way, Congress ruled all over the country at the national and state levels.