Beginning of the Indira era, most tumultuous period

Jaipur: In country’s politics, general elections held in 1967 for the 4th Lok Sabha are considered beginning of Indira Gandhi era. This election took place at a time when there was tremendous turmoil in the country on political, economic and social front. India had fought wars with China in 1962 and Pakistan in 1965. The western world, which was friendly to Pakistan, had stopped aid to India.

The public was struggling with food shortage and rising inflation. Due to increasing fiscal deficit and high oil prices, in June 1966, 7 months before the fourth LS polls. the then PM Indira Gandhi announced the devaluation of the rupee. There was no significant benefit from this either.

Indira’s opponents were raising their heads within Congress and amid this, for the first time in absence of Pandit Nehru, Congress contested elections under Indira and was successful in forming government for fourth consecutive time, but its performance paled in comparison to previous polls. It also lost government in six states.

The process of the 4th general election did not last as long as the first three elections and was completed in five days between February 17 and February 21, 1967. After delimitation in 1963, the number of Lok Sabha constituencies increased to 520 in 1967. Out of total 25 crore voters, 61.3% exercised their franchise. Congress won 283 seats. Indira Gandhi became PM again on March 13, 1967, contesting from Rae Bareli, her late husband Firoz Khan’s seat. Despite forming government for fourth consecutive time, it was Congress’s weakest performance yet. Their vote share dropped to 40.78%, 78 seats less than third LS election.