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History · Spectrum Books A Brief History of Modern India

Chapter 41 : The Janata Party Years (March 1977-January 1980)

Table of contents27 sections
  1. 1.The Janata Party Years (March 1977-January 1980)
  2. 2.Morarji Desai, the First Non-Congress Prime Minister
  3. 3.Key Terms
  4. 4.📌 Exam Tidbits
  5. 5.Fresh State Assembly Elections & New President
  6. 6.Key Terms
  7. 7.📌 Exam Tidbits
  8. 8.Downslide of Janata Party and Rise of Congress (I)
  9. 9.Key Terms
  10. 10.📌 Exam Tidbits
  11. 11.Differences within the Janata Party and Fall of Morarji's Government
  12. 12.Key Terms
  13. 13.📌 Exam Tidbits
  14. 14.Charan Singh, the Prime Minister Who Never Faced Parliament
  15. 15.Key Terms
  16. 16.📌 Exam Tidbits
  17. 17.Fresh Lok Sabha Elections and End of the Janata Party Rule
  18. 18.Key Terms
  19. 19.📌 Exam Tidbits
  20. 20.Legacy of the Janata Party Rule
  21. 21.Restoration of Democratic Rights
  22. 22.Economic Contradictions
  23. 23.Foreign Relations
  24. 24.Social Changes and Movements
  25. 25.Key Terms
  26. 26.📌 Exam Tidbits
  27. 27.Quick-Recall Box

Chapter preview

The Janata Party Years (March 1977-January 1980)

Morarji Desai, the First Non-Congress Prime Minister

  • Background: The wave of dissatisfaction and resentment following the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi led political parties to contest the general elections as a coalition.
  • 1977 Elections: The Janata Party (contesting under the symbol of 'chakra-haldhar') and its allies won a massive majority.
  • Selection of the Prime Minister:
  • There were 3 contenders for the post: Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, and Jagjivan Ram.
  • The decision was left to Acharya Kripalani and Jayaprakash Narayan.
  • They chose Morarji Desai, who took the oath as prime minister on March 23, 1977.
  • Deputy Prime Ministers:
  • Charan Singh (Minister of Home, later Finance)
  • Jagjivan Ram (Defence Minister)

Key Terms

ConceptDefinition
'chakra-haldhar'The election symbol under which the Janata Party contested and won a massive majority in the 1977 elections.

📌 Exam Tidbits

  • Morarji Desai became the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India on March 23, 1977.
  • The selection of the PM was entrusted to Acharya Kripalani and Jayaprakash Narayan.
  • The government had two Deputy Prime Ministers: Charan Singh and Jagjivan Ram.

Fresh State Assembly Elections & New President

  • Dissolution of Assemblies: The Centre felt the nation had expressed dissatisfaction with the Congress, leading to the dissolution of state assemblies where Congress had a majority.

  • June 1977 State Election Outcomes:

  • New President of India:

  • The presidential election was necessitated by the death of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed in February 1977.

  • With a hold on most states, the Janata Party successfully elected its candidate, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, as the President of India in June 1977.

Key Terms

ConceptDefinition
Mid-day meal schemeA pioneering welfare scheme launched by the M.G. Ramachandran-led AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu to encourage children, especially girls, to attend school.

📌 Exam Tidbits

  • M.G. Ramachandran pioneered the mid-day meal scheme in Tamil Nadu.
  • Jyoti Basu became the Chief Minister of West Bengal leading a Left coalition that implemented significant agrarian reforms.
  • Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was elected…
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Chapter 42 : Indira Gandhi: the Second Phase (January 1980-October 1984)