1971 general election
Also called: Fifth general election · Topic: Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 5 "Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System"
Meaning
The 1971 general election, also called the fifth general election, was held on 1-10 March 1971 (NCERT says February). Indira Gandhi wanted a fresh mandate (fresh approval from voters), so the Lok Sabha was dissolved in December 1970, a year early. This separated Lok Sabha polls from assembly polls. The result restored Congress dominance, but now it rested on one leader's popularity.
Example
The Grand Alliance of non-communist, non-Congress parties had no common programme, so she said its only plan was "Indira Hatao" (remove Indira). Her own slogan was "Garibi Hatao" (remove poverty). The Congress (R) alone won 352 seats with about 44% of the vote. Together with the CPI it won 375 seats and 48.4% of the vote. The Congress (O) won only 16 seats, and the Grand Alliance won fewer than 60.
Don't confuse with
- 1967 general election: the Congress's weakest result up to then, with 283 seats and losses in nine states. 1971 was a sweeping win for the Congress (R).