Q10 of 46 Page 1

How far do you agree with the statement that what Indira Gandhi had done in 1971 – 72 was not a revival of the old Congress Party but she re-invented her party ?

Indira Gandhi had indeed re-invented the Congress Party with her actions during 1971-72. The ‘New Congress’ enjoyed the old popularity levels but there was marked shifts in its ideology. This popularity was mostly based on the charisma of its party president. It suffered from a weak organisational structure and the absence of factions within the party reduced its prior accommodation nature with respect to various ideologies and ambitions. It s electoral vote bank was mostly based on social groups which included the adivasis, the Dalits and other minorities.


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