INDIRA GANDHI ERA
Indira Gandhi, the daughter of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, served as the Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms from 1966 to 1977 and a fourth term from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. Her tenure is one of the most significant and controversial periods in Indian political history. Indira Gandhi's leadership was marked by bold economic reforms, strong centralization of power, significant social initiatives, and decisive foreign policy actions.
Ascending to power in 1966, she initially faced skepticism and was perceived as a weak leader by many within her own party. However, she soon established herself as a formidable and charismatic leader, often referred to as the "Iron Lady of India." Her era was characterized by several transformative events and policies that reshaped the socio-economic and political landscape of the country.
1.Internal Struggles: Indira Gandhi faced significant factionalism within the Indian National Congress. The party was divided between the old guard, known as the Syndicate, and younger, progressive members who supported her. The Syndicate included influential leaders like K. Kamaraj, Morarji Desai, and S. Nijalingappa, who initially supported her but soon became her critics.
2.Power Struggle: The struggle for control within the party created an unstable political environment, making it difficult for her to implement her policies. The tension culminated in the Congress split of 1969, where Indira Gandhi led a faction that eventually became the Congress (R), which stood for Congress Requisitionists.