Question

The party politics is completely changed after the emergency. Examine this statement with examples.

Hint:

The Emergency in India led to significant political shifts, including the rise of opposition coalitions, the Janata Party, and regional parties, emphasizing the importance of democratic processes.

Answer 1

The declaration of the National Emergency in 1975 marked a significant turning point in Indian politics, leading to a complete transformation of party politics. The Emergency, declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, suspended elections, curbed civil liberties, and allowed the government to rule by decree. This period saw the suppression of political opposition, the arrest of leaders, and restrictions on the press.
Prior to the Emergency, the Indian National Congress (INC) was the dominant political party, enjoying widespread support due to its leadership under Jawaharlal Nehru and later Indira Gandhi. However, the imposition of the Emergency led to a massive shift in the political landscape. The Emergency alienated large sections of the population, leading to the formation of new political alliances.
The most significant political change post-Emergency was the rise of the Janata Party. The Janata Party, which emerged from the alliance of opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other factions, won the 1977 general elections, ending the Congress party’s long hold on power. This marked the first major shift in party politics since independence. The defeat of the INC demonstrated a growing disillusionment with authoritarian rule and led to the strengthening of democratic institutions.
The political change after the Emergency also saw the rise of regional parties, which began to challenge the dominance of national parties. Regional issues gained prominence, and parties like the DMK, TMC, and others became influential at the state level.
In conclusion, the Emergency fundamentally altered the party politics of India. It led to the weakening of the Congress's dominance and the rise of multi-party politics, with a stronger focus on regional representation and the protection of democratic rights.