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Questions and Answers
What was the primary method of voting in the first two general elections?
What was the primary method of voting in the first two general elections?
How long did it take for the group to prepare the voting boxes for the elections?
How long did it take for the group to prepare the voting boxes for the elections?
When did the entire country shift to using Electronic Voting Machines (EVM)?
When did the entire country shift to using Electronic Voting Machines (EVM)?
What material was used to prepare the voting boxes before polling?
What material was used to prepare the voting boxes before polling?
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How did the voting process change after the first two elections?
How did the voting process change after the first two elections?
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What was the common sentiment towards universal adult franchise in India by critics?
What was the common sentiment towards universal adult franchise in India by critics?
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What specific activity was suggested to understand participation in elections?
What specific activity was suggested to understand participation in elections?
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What was a significant change in voting methods towards the end of the 1990s?
What was a significant change in voting methods towards the end of the 1990s?
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Who was the founder-President of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh?
Who was the founder-President of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh?
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What does the Bharatiya Jana Sangh emphasize as key to India's strength?
What does the Bharatiya Jana Sangh emphasize as key to India's strength?
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Which political organization did the Bharatiya Jana Sangh originate from?
Which political organization did the Bharatiya Jana Sangh originate from?
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What ideology is prevalent in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh's philosophy?
What ideology is prevalent in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh's philosophy?
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What vision does the Bharatiya Jana Sangh have regarding India and Pakistan?
What vision does the Bharatiya Jana Sangh have regarding India and Pakistan?
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When was the Bharatiya Jana Sangh established?
When was the Bharatiya Jana Sangh established?
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Which of the following statements is true about the Bharatiya Jana Sangh?
Which of the following statements is true about the Bharatiya Jana Sangh?
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What national identity concept does the Bharatiya Jana Sangh reject?
What national identity concept does the Bharatiya Jana Sangh reject?
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What was Patel’s main intention for the Congress party?
What was Patel’s main intention for the Congress party?
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What does the author suggest was lacking in Patel’s view of the Congress party?
What does the author suggest was lacking in Patel’s view of the Congress party?
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Which perspective did Gandhi hold regarding the Congress party's future?
Which perspective did Gandhi hold regarding the Congress party's future?
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Which of the following describes the 'eclectic role' of the Congress party in early years?
Which of the following describes the 'eclectic role' of the Congress party in early years?
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What was considered Patel's primary concern in transforming the Congress?
What was considered Patel's primary concern in transforming the Congress?
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What did Patel perceive as more important than comprehension in party dynamics?
What did Patel perceive as more important than comprehension in party dynamics?
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What aspect of Congress was Patel attempting to change?
What aspect of Congress was Patel attempting to change?
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How did the author characterize Gandhi's approach versus Patel's?
How did the author characterize Gandhi's approach versus Patel's?
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In which of the following states did the Congress not win a majority of seats during the elections?
In which of the following states did the Congress not win a majority of seats during the elections?
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Who became the Prime Minister after the first general election in India?
Who became the Prime Minister after the first general election in India?
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What was the outcome of the Congress Party in the state elections held after the Lok Sabha elections?
What was the outcome of the Congress Party in the state elections held after the Lok Sabha elections?
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Which statement accurately reflects the performance of the Congress Party?
Which statement accurately reflects the performance of the Congress Party?
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What was the overall political scenario in India after the first general election?
What was the overall political scenario in India after the first general election?
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Which of the following regions had Congress successfully formed a government despite not winning the majority?
Which of the following regions had Congress successfully formed a government despite not winning the majority?
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Which party was primarily in control of the Indian political landscape during the initial years after independence?
Which party was primarily in control of the Indian political landscape during the initial years after independence?
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What can be inferred about the political dynamics in India during the era of one-party dominance?
What can be inferred about the political dynamics in India during the era of one-party dominance?
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What distinguishes Congress dominance in India from one-party dominance in other countries?
What distinguishes Congress dominance in India from one-party dominance in other countries?
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Which country is NOT mentioned as having experienced one-party dominance?
Which country is NOT mentioned as having experienced one-party dominance?
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Which characteristic defines the one-party states mentioned in the context apart from India?
Which characteristic defines the one-party states mentioned in the context apart from India?
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What was a common aspect of countries like Mexico, South Korea, and Taiwan until a few years ago?
What was a common aspect of countries like Mexico, South Korea, and Taiwan until a few years ago?
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Which of the following mentions a factor leading to effective one-party states?
Which of the following mentions a factor leading to effective one-party states?
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How does the dominance of the Congress party in India compare with that of the African National Congress in South Africa?
How does the dominance of the Congress party in India compare with that of the African National Congress in South Africa?
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Who was involved in leading the anti-caste movement and founded the Independent Labour Party?
Who was involved in leading the anti-caste movement and founded the Independent Labour Party?
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What type of electoral condition does India maintain that differentiates it from countries with one-party states?
What type of electoral condition does India maintain that differentiates it from countries with one-party states?
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What was one major characteristic of India's political landscape during the time of the 1950s elections?
What was one major characteristic of India's political landscape during the time of the 1950s elections?
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What significant outcome did the opposition parties of the 1950s achieve?
What significant outcome did the opposition parties of the 1950s achieve?
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Which decade is mentioned as significant for the influence of opposition parties in India?
Which decade is mentioned as significant for the influence of opposition parties in India?
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How can the non-Congress parties of today be described in relation to earlier opposition parties?
How can the non-Congress parties of today be described in relation to earlier opposition parties?
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What role did opposition parties play in India's political system during the 1950s?
What role did opposition parties play in India's political system during the 1950s?
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When did opposition parties start to emerge in India?
When did opposition parties start to emerge in India?
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What does the presence of a large number of opposition parties suggest about India's political system?
What does the presence of a large number of opposition parties suggest about India's political system?
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Which cartoon was mentioned in relation to the political discussion?
Which cartoon was mentioned in relation to the political discussion?
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Study Notes
Nation Building and Democratic Politics
- The chapter examines the challenge of nation-building and instituting democratic politics following India's independence.
- The initial decade of electoral politics is analyzed to comprehend the establishment of free and fair elections, the dominance of the Congress party post-independence, and the rise of opposition parties along with their policies.
Era of One-Party Dominance
- Independent India faced significant challenges like nation-building, alongside the introduction of democratic politics.
- Many nations opted for non-democratic rule due to the perceived complexities of establishing democracy, including one-party or military rule.
- In contrast, India's leaders pursued the establishment of a democratic system, despite the associated difficulties, driven by their belief in democracy as a means to address societal problems.
The First General Elections
- The first general election faced challenges in terms of size, logistics, illiteracy, and voter registration.
- The election commission developed and deployed considerable resources to manage the unprecedented scale of the first universal adult franchise election.
- The election process had to meticulously address the complexities of voter rolls and identification, and included special steps including using separate ballot boxes, along with ensuring the accuracy of voter identification.
Changing Methods of Voting
- The initial elections used physical ballot boxes, marked by candidates' symbols, for voters to place their ballots in.
- Later, ballot papers with candidates' names and symbols were used, to prevent issues caused by earlier method's complexity.
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were eventually introduced, replacing the earlier methods.
Congress Dominance
- The Congress party's dominance in the first three general elections was widespread, but not universal.
- The extent of Congress dominance was largely due to the party's strong organizational network, prevalent in most states.
- The victory was also shaped by the popularity of Nehru as party leadership.
Opposition Parties and Electoral Politics
- Despite the Congress party's dominance, opposition parties existed and played a role in political discourse and electoral politics.
- These parties raised various viewpoints, offering alternatives to ensure a healthy democratic ecosystem.
First Communist Government in India (Kerala)
- In 1957, the Kerala state Assembly witnessed a first in India, in the election of a communist government.
- The Congress party lost power in that state to a coalition led by the CPI.
- The event was historically significant, representing a significant shift in state-level politics in India, with a communist party gaining power for the first time.
The Socialist Party
- The Socialist Party emerged as a distinct ideological viewpoint and political party separate from the Congress and the Communist party.
- The party advocated for democratic socialism, highlighting its disagreement with both Capitalist and Communist viewpoints.
- The Socialist Party faced challenges in gaining significant electoral success.
Nature of Congress Dominance
- Indian Congress party's dominance was distinct in that it occurred during a democratic context, unlike other one-party countries where democracy is compromised or non-existent.
- The dominance was largely due to the party's early organizational structure, its connections with the freedom struggles, and the appeal of its leaders
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Description
This quiz explores the challenges of nation-building and establishing democratic politics in India post-independence. It covers the initial decade of electoral politics, the dominance of the Congress party, and the emergence of opposition parties. Additionally, it examines the implications of India's commitment to democracy amidst various global trends towards non-democratic rule.
