NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 5: Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System

1. Which of these statements about the 1967 elections is/are correct?

• a) Congress won the Lok Sabha elections but lost the Assembly elections in many states.
• b) Congress lost both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
• c) Congress lost majority in the Lok Sabha but formed a coalition government with the support of some other parties.
• d) Congress retained power at the Centre with an increased majority.

Answer: a) Congress won the Lok Sabha elections but lost the Assembly elections in many states.

2. Match the following:

3. Whom would you identify with the following slogans/phrases?

• a) Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan
• b) Indira Hatao!
• c) Garibi Hatao!

Answer:

• a) Lal Bahadur Shastri (Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan)
• b) Grand Alliance/Opposition parties in 1971 (Indira Hatao!)
• c) Indira Gandhi (Garibi Hatao!)

4. Which of the following statement about the Grand Alliance of 1971 is correct? The Grand Alliance ....

• a) was formed by non-Communist, non-Congress parties.
• b) had a clear political and ideological programme.
• c) was formed by all non-Congress parties.

Answer: a) was formed by non-Communist, non-Congress parties.

5. How should a political party resolve its internal differences? Here are some suggestions. Think of each and list out their advantages and shortcomings.

1. Follow the footsteps of the party president
   Advantage: Ensures unity and discipline.
   Shortcoming: May suppress dissent and reduce inner-party democracy.
2. Listen to the majority group
   Advantage: Reflects popular opinion within the party.
   Shortcoming: Minority opinions may be ignored leading to dissatisfaction.
3. Secret ballot voting on every issue
   Advantage: Promotes fairness and genuine choices.
   Shortcoming: Time consuming and may weaken collective leadership.
4. Consult the senior and experienced leaders of the party
   Advantage: Utilizes wisdom and experience for decision-making.
   Shortcoming: May ignore the views of younger members or fresh ideas.

6. State which of these were reasons for the defeat of the Congress in 1967. Give reasons for your answer.

• a) The absence of a charismatic leader in the Congress party
• b) Split within the Congress party
• c) Increased mobilisation of regional, ethnic and communal groups
• d) Increasing unity among non-Congress parties
• e) Internal differences within the Congress party

Answer: The defeat of the Congress in 1967 was due to several factors:
b) Split within the Congress party: Led to a weakened organization.
c) Increased mobilisation of regional, ethnic and communal groups: Strengthened opposition.
d) Increasing unity among non-Congress parties: Opposition formed alliances to defeat Congress.
e) Internal differences within the Congress party: Led to loss of discipline and unity.
a) Although the absence of Nehru and Shastri created some leadership vacuum, Congress did have known leaders.

7. What were the factors which led to the popularity of Indira Gandhi’s Government in the early 1970s?

Answer: The factors were:
- Pro-poor policies and slogans like 'Garibi Hatao'
- Nationalisation of banks and abolition of privy purse
- Victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war and creation of Bangladesh
- Electoral success at both central and state levels, projecting strong leadership

8. What does the term ‘syndicate’ mean in the context of the Congress party of the sixties? What role did the Syndicate play in the Congress party?

Answer: The ‘Syndicate’ was an informal group of powerful Congress leaders who controlled the organisation in the 1960s (K. Kamraj, S. Nijalingappa, etc.). They influenced major decisions like choosing Prime Ministers (Shastri, Indira Gandhi) and policies. Later, Indira Gandhi challenged their dominance, leading to the party split.

9. Discuss the major issue which led to the formal split of the Congress Party in 1969.

Answer: The formal split happened over the Presidential election of 1969. The Syndicate and Indira Gandhi disagreed on the candidate (Sanjeeva Reddy vs. V.V. Giri). Indira Gandhi’s call for a ‘conscience vote’ led to Giri’s victory, after which she was expelled and the Congress split into Congress(O) and Congress(R).

10. Read the passage and answer the questions below:
...Indira Gandhi changed the Congress into highly centralized and undemocratic party organisation, from the earlier federal, democratic and ideological formation that Nehru had led.....But this... could not have happened had not Indira Gandhi changed the entire nature of politics. This new, populist politics turned political ideology ....... into a mere electoral discourse, use of various slogans not meant to be translated into government policies...... During its great electoral victories in early 1970s, amidst the celebration, the Congress party as a political organisation died..... — Sudipta Kaviraj

1. What according to the author is the difference between the strategies of Nehru and Indira Gandhi?
   Answer: Nehru’s Congress was federal, democratic, and ideologically driven, encouraging debate. Indira Gandhi’s Congress became centralized, relied on top leadership, and used populist slogans for electoral gains rather than deep ideological commitment.
2. Why does the author say that the Congress party ‘died’ in the seventies?
   Answer: Because the organisation lost its internal democracy and federal structure, becoming a highly centralised party dependent on the leader, not the collective.
3. In what way, did the change in the Congress party affect other political parties also?
   Answer: Other parties also shifted from mass-based, democratic structures to more centralized, leader-dependent organizations, making populist appeals and prioritizing electoral performance.

Mastering Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System

Understanding the Congress party’s challenges and revival during the 1960s and 1970s is key for CBSE Political Science Class 12. Focus on major events like the 1967 elections, party split, and Indira Gandhi’s strategies for exam success.

Regular revision of core concepts such as non-Congressism, the rise of coalitions, and the significance of the Grand Alliance will give you an edge. Make summary notes to recall facts and analytical points faster in your answers.

Don’t forget to practice textbook exercises thoroughly. This strengthens both your conceptual clarity and writing skills—helping you ace Class 12 Political Science board and entrance exams with confidence!