Indira Gandhi’s journey to becoming one of India’s most powerful and influential leaders was marked by a decisive struggle within her own party, the Congress, in the late 1960s. From facing fierce resistance from the party’s old guard, known as the Syndicate, to making bold policy decisions that won her popular support, Indira Gandhi’s strategic moves cemented her authority over the Congress and ultimately shaped her enduring legacy. This article dives into the events that defined this period and how Indira Gandhi emerged stronger by defeating both internal and external opposition.
1967: The Battle for Independence from Congress’s Syndicate
Indira Gandhi first became Prime Minister in 1966, succeeding Lal Bahadur Shastri. However, her second term in 1967 was when she truly began asserting her independence. The Congress party’s old guard, known as the Syndicate, included influential senior leaders like K. Kamaraj, Morarji Desai, and S. Nijalingappa, who believed in controlling government policies from behind the scenes. The Syndicate assumed they could continue to influence Indira as they did in her first term, but she had other plans.
In the 1967 presidential election, the Syndicate supported Dr. S. Radhakrishnan’s re-election. However, Indira Gandhi backed Dr. Zakir Husain, who ultimately won, signaling her defiance of the Syndicate’s influence. The Syndicate, however, continued to challenge her control.
1969: The Presidential Election that Divided Congress
In May 1969, the sudden death of President Zakir Husain triggered another presidential election. This time, the Syndicate nominated Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, a veteran leader aligned with their views, as the party’s candidate. Indira Gandhi saw Reddy’s nomination as a direct threat to her authority and took a drastic step by supporting independent candidate V. V. Giri, a move that went against the party’s official line.
Indira urged her supporters to vote for Giri in the name of the “voice of conscience,” a phrase that would become famous in Indian political history. This appeal rallied her followers, and Giri won the election. This was a victory for Indira Gandhi and a humiliating defeat for the Syndicate, exposing the growing divide within the Congress.
The Expulsion and Split of Congress
After the 1969 presidential election, tensions within Congress escalated. The Syndicate accused Indira of undermining party unity and violating discipline, and on November 12, 1969, they expelled her from the Congress party. This move led to a historic split in Congress, resulting in two factions: Congress (R), or Reformists, led by Indira Gandhi, and Congress (O), for Organisation, which represented the Syndicate’s camp.
The split marked a turning point in Indian politics, as Indira’s Congress (R) emphasized a pro-poor image and aimed to attract mass support, whereas Congress (O) retained a more traditional approach. The split further solidified Indira’s image as a leader focused on people’s welfare, distinct from the Syndicate’s old-school style of governance.
Bank Nationalization: A Bold Move to Win Popular Support
In the wake of the split, Indira Gandhi made a dramatic policy move by nationalizing 14 major banks in July 1969. This decision aimed to break the hold of wealthy industrialists over the banking sector and was presented as a step towards reducing economic inequality. She announced the nationalization on All India Radio, declaring that private banks catered only to the rich and failed to support the common people.
The nationalization of banks was hugely popular among the public, who saw it as a step towards financial inclusivity. Large sections of society began viewing Indira as a champion for the poor, further strengthening her base and differentiating her from Congress (O), which opposed her populist measures.
Morarji Desai’s Dismissal: A Strategic Power Play
As she asserted her authority, Indira Gandhi dismissed Finance Minister Morarji Desai, a staunch Syndicate supporter, on June 16, 1969. She justified her decision by saying that Desai had become an obstacle to the government’s progressive agenda. Although Desai held the post of Deputy Prime Minister, he ultimately resigned, and this bold move demonstrated Indira’s willingness to remove anyone standing in her way.
Her actions sent a clear message: Indira Gandhi was ready to make tough decisions to advance her policies and protect her position, even if it meant ousting senior leaders from her government.
The Pro-Poor Agenda and Public Support
In the months following the Congress split, Indira Gandhi leaned further into her pro-poor agenda, which resonated strongly with the public. Her policies and messages dominated radio broadcasts and newspapers, helping to bolster her popularity among common citizens. She also implemented several welfare schemes and economic reforms that aligned with her image as a people’s leader.
Indira’s famous slogan, “Garibi Hatao” (Remove Poverty), became a rallying cry for her government’s initiatives and contributed significantly to her victory in the 1971 general election. She positioned herself as the sole leader capable of transforming India for the better, and the public increasingly saw her as the embodiment of the Congress.
The 1971 Midterm Elections: Indira’s Resounding Victory
The 1971 midterm elections were a critical test for Indira Gandhi. With a minority government, she needed to consolidate power, and she approached the elections with a message of poverty alleviation and social justice. Her slogan, “They say remove Indira, I say remove poverty,” resonated widely and allowed her to connect with voters from all walks of life.
Indira’s Congress (R) won a landslide victory, securing 352 seats in the Lok Sabha and giving her the stability and legitimacy she needed to govern without the Syndicate’s influence. This victory further established her as a powerful leader who not only controlled the government but also had the backing of the people.
The Nationalization of Privy Purses: Cementing the Pro-People Image
In a further move to consolidate her image as a pro-people leader, Indira Gandhi abolished the Privy Purses of the former princes and royal families of India, who had enjoyed these privileges since Independence. This move, seen as an attack on the feudal and wealthy classes, gained widespread support and demonstrated her commitment to reducing economic disparity.
By targeting the privileges of the wealthy, Indira continued to reinforce her pro-poor stance, which appealed to the masses and garnered her support across the country.
The Legacy of Indira Gandhi’s Political Strategy
Indira Gandhi’s confrontations with the Congress Syndicate and her subsequent victories transformed Indian politics and reshaped the Congress party. She established that the Nehru-Gandhi family was not only synonymous with the Congress but also represented the will of the people. Her legacy set a precedent for strong, centralized leadership, and her policies inspired a generation of Indians to view her as a defender of the underprivileged.
The Congress split and the rise of Indira Gandhi were pivotal moments in India’s post-Independence history. She demonstrated that the Congress’s strength did not lie in its organization or its senior leaders but in its ability to resonate with the aspirations of the Indian people.
