PROJECT FILE

Political Science — Class XII

Chapter 1: One Party Dominance in India

Index
1. Introduction

2. Historical Background

3. Dominance of the Indian National Congress

4. Factors Responsible for Congress Dominance

5. Nature of Congress Dominance

6. Internal Factions within Congress

7. Challenges to One Party Dominance

8. Emergence of Opposition Parties

9. Split in the Congress Party

10. Role of Leaders in One Party Dominance

11. Impact on Indian Democracy

12. Criticism of One Party Dominance

13. End of Congress Dominance

14. Case Studies and Examples

15. Important Dates and Events

 16. Maps and Diagrams

17. Conclusion

18. Bibliography

1️

Introduction (Detailed)
After achieving independence in 1947, India adopted a democratic system. Unlike many
newly decolonized countries that fell into military dictatorship or authoritarian rule, India
maintained its democratic principles. A significant factor behind this was the dominance of a
single political party — the Indian National Congress — which provided stability during a
turbulent time. However, this dominance has been a topic of debate among scholars, raising
questions about whether democracy can truly thrive without a strong opposition.

2️

Historical Background (Detailed)

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 by Allan Octavian Hume along
with Indian leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji and Dinshaw Wacha. Initially, it acted as a platform
for educated Indians to voice their grievances under British rule. Over time, it transformed
into the spearhead of the Indian freedom movement, uniting millions of Indians of different
religions, castes, and languages.

Post-independence, the Congress transitioned from a nationalist movement to a governing

party. It had enormous moral authority because:

● It negotiated India’s independence.

● Its leaders, like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, were immensely popular.

● It represented a vision of a secular, democratic, and modern India.

3️

Dominance of the Indian National Congress (Detailed)

In India’s first three general elections (1952, 1957, and 1962), Congress won huge
majorities:

● 1952: Over 74% of the seats with about 45% of the popular vote.

● 1957: Won even more seats than in 1952.

● 1962: Retained its dominance despite regional and ideological differences.

This dominance was not just at the Centre but also in most states. Except for a few
exceptions like Travancore-Cochin (Kerala) and Madras, Congress formed governments
everywhere. This led to a scenario where the Congress Party practically defined national
politics.

4️

Factors Responsible for Congress Dominance

(Detailed)
a) Historical Legacy:

● The Congress was seen as the ‘party of freedom’ that had defeated colonial rulers.

b) Charismatic Leaders:

● Jawaharlal Nehru’s personality symbolized hope, secularism, scientific temper, and

democratic values.

● Leaders like Sardar Patel unified over 500 princely states, boosting Congress’s
prestige.

c) Organizational Strength:

● Congress had strong grassroot units — village committees, block committees, district
committees, and provincial units.
d) Inclusiveness:

● It represented various social groups: peasants, industrialists, Dalits, minorities.

e) Lack of a credible alternative:

● Opposition parties were divided, weak, and lacked funds and mass support.

f) Weak socio-political development:

● Many Indians, especially rural voters, trusted Congress by default as they were
unfamiliar with new parties.

5️

Nature of Congress Dominance (Detailed)

It is crucial to understand that India did not have a one-party system (like in China or the
USSR), but a dominant party system:

● Free and fair elections were held.

● Opposition parties contested and won seats.

● Congress’s victory was due to genuine popularity, not coercion.

Political scientists like Rajni Kothari described this as a “Congress system” — the party
worked like a “big tent” or an umbrella, absorbing diverse interests.

6️

Internal Factions within Congress (Detailed)

Rather than suppressing differences, Congress allowed healthy internal debates:

● Leftists: Wanted radical land reforms and socialism.

 ● Rightists: Favored private industry and conservative values.

● Regional Leaders: Focused on state-specific issues, like K. Kamaraj in Tamil Nadu

and B.C. Roy in West Bengal.

Internal dissent was managed through negotiations and compromises within the party,
making external opposition less attractive.

7️

Challenges to One Party Dominance (Detailed)

Despite dominance, challenges existed:

● In 1957, Kerala elected the world’s first democratically elected Communist

government under E.M.S. Namboodiripad.

● States like Tamil Nadu saw the rise of Dravidian parties (e.g., DMK) that opposed
Hindi imposition.

● Socialist parties organized peasants and backward castes.

● Caste, language, and regional pride often created friction with the central leadership.

8️

Emergence of Opposition Parties (Detailed)

Major Opposition Parties:

a) Communist Party of India (CPI):

● Strong presence in West Bengal and Kerala.

● Advocated for workers’ rights and land redistribution.

b) Bharatiya Jana Sangh:

 ● Founded in 1951 by Syama Prasad Mukherjee.

● Promoted Hindu nationalist ideas.

c) Socialist Parties:

● Formed by leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia.

● Opposed inequality and supported radical social reforms.

d) Swatantra Party:

● Founded in 1959 by C. Rajagopalachari.

● Advocated free-market economy and minimal government interference.

These parties gradually built a base, but could not dethrone Congress immediately.

9️

Split in the Congress Party (Detailed)

Power struggles intensified after Nehru’s death:

● Lal Bahadur Shastri’s sudden death (1966) created a leadership vacuum.

● Indira Gandhi emerged as PM with support of senior leaders (‘Syndicate’).

● She defied them by appealing directly to the people.

● In 1969, ideological and personal clashes caused a split:

○ Congress (O): Old guard, conservative.

○ Congress (R): Indira Gandhi’s faction, more populist and left-leaning.

Role of Leaders in One Party Dominance (Detailed)

 ● Jawaharlal Nehru: Advocated secularism, democracy, non-alignment, and planning.

● Sardar Patel: Integrated princely states, strengthening national unity.

● Indira Gandhi: Used slogans like “Garibi Hatao” (Remove Poverty) to connect with
the masses. Centralized power, sidelined old leadership.

Their vision and political skill sustained Congress’s hegemony.

1️ 1️

Impact on Indian Democracy (Detailed)

Positive impacts:

● Ensured political stability in early fragile years.

● Built and nurtured democratic institutions.

● Prevented military coups, unlike Pakistan.

Negative impacts:

● Encouraged personality cults.

● Limited the development of a strong opposition.

● Led to over-centralization and misuse of government machinery at times.

1️ 2️

Criticism of One Party Dominance (Detailed)

Scholars and political opponents criticized:

● Lack of healthy competition.

● Emergence of corruption and nepotism.

 ● Bureaucracy becoming loyal to the ruling party instead of the constitution.

● Democracy becoming more procedural than participatory.

1️ 3️

End of Congress Dominance (Detailed)

The 1967 General Election was a turning point:

● Congress lost major states to opposition coalitions called Samyukta Vidhayak Dal
(SVD) governments.

● Many backward castes and minorities shifted support to regional or left parties.

● This paved the way for coalition politics.

The dominance finally broke at the national level in 1977 when:

● Indira Gandhi’s Emergency rule (1975–77) led to widespread resentment.

● The Janata Party, a coalition of anti-Congress forces, won the election and formed
the first non-Congress central government.

1️ 4️

Case Studies and Examples (Detailed)

● Kerala (1957): Communist victory; later dismissed in 1959 via Article 356.

● Tamil Nadu: Dravidian movement rose due to anti-Hindi sentiments; DMK formed the
state government in 1967.

● 1977: First peaceful transfer of power at the Centre to a non-Congress party.

1️ 5️

Important Dates and Events (Detailed)

Year Event

1885 Formation of INC

1947 India gains independence

1952 First General Election

1957 CPI wins Kerala

1962 Third General Election

1964 Death of Nehru

1966 Death of Shastri; Indira Gandhi becomes

PM

1967 Congress loses in multiple states

1969 Congress splits

1975–77 Emergency imposed

1977 Janata Party ends Congress rule

1️ 6️

Maps and Diagrams (Ideas)

● Map: Congress strongholds in the 1950s vs. 1967.

● Chart: Lok Sabha seats won by Congress vs. Opposition.

● Timeline: Major splits and formation of new parties.

1️ 7️

Conclusion (Detailed)
The period of one party dominance under the Congress was both a strength and a challenge
for Indian democracy. It provided much-needed continuity, nation-building, and stability in
the formative years. However, its decline also proved the resilience of India’s democratic
fabric — showcasing that people have the ultimate power to change governments through
the ballot box. Today, India’s vibrant multiparty system and coalition politics are a testament
to that evolution.

1️ 8️

Bibliography
● NCERT Political Science Textbook — Class XII

● Bipan Chandra’s India Since Independence

● Websites: Election Commission of India, PRS Legislative Research

● Various scholarly articles on Indian politics.

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