The Election commission of India and Elections History - Part 8

(இதன் தமிழ் வடிவத்திற்கு இங்கே சொடுக்கவும்)

6th Lok Sabha (1977 / 1980)

• Winning party: Janata Party
• Prime Minister: Morarji Desai
• Term in office: March 24, 1977 - July 29, 1979
• Leader of the Opposition: Y.B. Chavan of the Indian National Congress.
• With the Janata Party forming the government, Congress moved to the opposition.
• Speaker(s) of the House: K. S. Hegde
• Term: July 21, 1977 - January 21, 1980

Overview:

• The Governance focused on restoring civil liberties and undoing repressive measures of the previous regime.
• Janata Party faced internal conflicts, leading to its dissolution and early elections in 1980.

Election Outcome:

• Janata Party won 295 seats, followed by INC (154) and CPM (22).
• Morarji Desai became India’s first non-Congress Prime Minister at the age of 81.

Legislative Agenda:

• The Sixth Lok Sabha passed 130 enactments, with 53 related to financial subjects.
• Discussions covered deteriorating law and order, China’s invasion of Vietnam, price rise, and media misuse during the Emergency.

Challenges and Fissures:

• Internal conflicts emerged due to Desai’s leadership, RSS links of erstwhile Jan Sangh members, and failure to investigate Emergency excesses.
• Ten State Governments were dismissed, triggering repolls.

Political Shifts:

• Charan Singh served briefly as Prime Minister, but his government didn't last.
• Charan Singh was the only prime minister who never faced a parliament session as pm of India.

Aftermath:

• Disillusioned voters ousted Congress and elected Janata Party.
• The new government was wracked by internal conflicts.
• This instability led to its dissolution and early elections in 1980.

7th Lok Sabha (1980 / 1984)

• Winning party: Indian National Congress (I)
• Prime Minister: Indira Gandhi
• Term in office: January 14, 1980 - October 31, 1984
• Leader of the Opposition: No significant LoP as Congress enjoyed majority
• Speaker(s) of the House: Balram Jakhar
• Term: January 22, 1980 - January 15, 1985

Overview:

• Congress made a comeback after the Janata Party struggled with internal differences.

Election:

• Shortest elections held over four days in January 1980.
• 542 constituencies - 25 States and six Union Territories.
• Voter turnout fell by 3.57%, highest in Lakshadweep and lowest in Orissa.
• 49 elected Muslim members, highest in Lok Sabha history.

Election Outcome:

• Indian National Congress claimed 353 seats, Janata Party (S) won 41 seats, Communist Party of India (Marxist) with 37 seats.
• Madras South (Tamil Nadu) recorded the maximum votes (60.34%) for INC.

Speaker of the House:

• Balram Jakhar served as Speaker from January 1980 to 1985.
• He was the longest-serving Speaker, serving for two consecutive terms.

Challenges:

• Inherited a struggling economy with 20% inflation and collapsing industrial growth.
• Faced rising crime, caste and communal tensions, and labor unrest, especially in Assam.
• Faced challenges in dealing with serious foreign policy issues, including the Russia-Afghanistan war.
• Defence Minister Narasimha Rao's invitation to ASEAN was withdrawn.
• This happened after India recognized the new government of Kampuchea.

Punjab Crisis:

• Punjab faced separatist movement demanding autonomy and regions.
• Operation Blue Star launched after negotiations with militants failed, leading to attacks on Golden Temple and other religious sites.
• Indira Gandhi assassinated on October 31, 1984, by her Sikh bodyguards.

Aftermath:

• Rajiv Gandhi elected as India’s seventh Prime Minister.
• Mr. Rajiv Gandhi (40) holds the distinction of being India’s first youngest Prime Minister.
• Congress's historical role in the freedom struggle, Jawaharlal Nehru’s appeal, and a growing need for stability informed the political landscape.

8th Lok Sabha (1984 / 1989)

• Winning party: Indian National Congress (I)
• Prime Minister: Rajiv Gandhi
• Term in office: December 31, 1984 - December 2, 1989
• Leader of the Opposition: H.N. Bahuguna of the Indian National Congress (U)
• Speaker(s) of the House: Balram Jakhar
• Term: January 22, 1980 - December 18, 1989

Overview:

• Congress won a historic political mandate under Rajiv Gandhi, registering its best-ever performance in independent India.
• Debut of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) reshaped the political landscape.
• Social climate was marked by Indira Gandhi’s assassination, anti-Sikh sentiment, communal disharmony, and coalition fragility.

Election Outcome:

• INC won a record 414 seats, followed by TDP (30) and CPM (22 seats).
• Strong performance of INC in Southern States, obtaining 48.12% vote from regions in Tamil Nadu.

Government Focus:

• Emphasis on autonomy for public enterprises and initiatives in technology and communication.
• Continuation of Nehruvian legacy in developing science institutions.
• Economic reforms initiated by Finance Minister V.P. Singh, including tax raids and foreign investment allowances.
• Signing of historical Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty and Indo-Sri Lanka Accord.
• The government faced struggles to resolve conflicts in Punjab and Assam, particularly during the anti-Sikh riots following Indira Gandhi’s assassination.

Bofors Scandal:

• Scandal coloured the last two years of Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure, sullying his promising mandate.

Parliamentary Unrest:

• Thakkar Commission’s report on Gandhi’s assassination stirred parliamentary unrest, leading to the suspension of 63 MPs, a new record at the time.

Dissolution and Elections:

• Lok Sabha dissolved, and General Elections held in November 1989.

Legacy:

• Rajiv Gandhi fuelled Congress’s resurgence, while N.T. Rama Rao redefined Andhra’s politics.
• Communal disharmony, anti-Sikh riots, and Bofors scam defined the social climate of the era.

9th Lok Sabha (1989 / 1991)

• Winning party: Janata Dal led National Front (coalition)
• Prime Minister(s): V.P. Singh and Chandra Shekhar
• Term(s) in office: Mr. Singh (December 2, 1989 - November 10, 1990)
• Term(s) in office: Mr. Shekhar (November 19, 1990 - June 21, 1991)
• Leader of the Opposition: Rajiv Gandhi and L.K. Advani
• Speaker(s) of the House: Rabi Ray
• Term: December 19, 1989 - July 9, 1991

Overview:

• First time no party had a majority in the Lower House, leading to the formation of the National Front coalition government.
• Mandir and Mandal politics dominated, with unrest over caste-based reservations and the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
• Economic instability and the Bofors scandal, along with Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, influenced the political landscape.

Coalition Government:

• Janata Dal’s V.P. Singh sworn in as Prime Minister, facing challenges from the outset.
• Economic instability and communal protests characterized the tenure.

Mandir and Mandal Politics:

• Singh’s government decided to implement Mandal Commission recommendations for OBC reservations, leading to protests and fragmentation of voter base.
• BJP withdrew support over the issue, leading to Singh’s resignation and the fall of the National Front Government.
• Religious upheaval over L.K. Advani’s arrest in Bihar for running the Ram Rath Yatra added to the unrest.

Chandra Shekhar’s Tenure:

• Chandra Shekhar replaced Singh as Prime Minister with outside support from the Indian National Congress.
• His government failed to pass the Budget amidst economic turmoil.
• He held the position for seven months, the second-shortest duration after that of Charan Singh.

Historical Significance:

• First time in history no party enjoyed a majority in the Lok Sabha.
• Mandir and Mandal politics stirred unrest across a deeply divided nation, shaping political discussions for years to come.

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