Question

The Elections of 1977 brought a non - Congress government to power in India for the first time since Independence.

In the context of this statement, briefly discuss the following:

Any four major drawbacks that led to the downfall of this government.

Answer 1

The following were the main issues that caused the Janata Party government to fall:

1. Infighting and Ideological Differences: The Janata Party was badly damaged by internal infighting and ideological conflicts that resulted from the different beliefs and backgrounds of its constituent groupings.
2. Inability to Sustain Parliamentary Majority: As partnership allies withdrew their support, Prime Minister Morarji Desai resigned in the middle of 1979 due to internal tensions, and his replacement, Chaudhary Charan Singh, was unable to retain a parliamentary majority.
3. Failed Prosecution of Emergency-Era Abuses: Prosecutions were halted and popular sympathy for the accused increased as a result of the government's incapacity to prove the majority of the accusations made against people who were allegedly mistreated during the emergency period, especially against Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
4. Economic Deterioration and Allegations of Nepotism: The diminishing popularity of the Janata Party among Indians was attributed to worsening economic conditions and growing accusations of nepotism within the party, which made room for the return of Indira Gandhi and her Congress (I) Party.