Amid political turmoil and party split, how Indira Gandhi returned to power in 1971 Lok Sabha polls - The Indian Express
The fourth Lok Sabha was dissolved late at night on December 27, 1970, almost 15 months before the expiration of its term. In an address to the people of India, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi said "there comes a time in the life of a nation when the government…has to take an unusual step to cut through difficulties in order to solve…pressing problems". She wanted to turn the election into a referendum on her social and economic reforms, including the nationalisation of banks, and abolition of the privy purses of former princes. Polls were held between March 1 and 10, 1971. Split in the Congress party Even when Jawaharlal Nehru was alive, several Congress leaders had been unhappy with the Kamaraj Plan, which required them to give up government positions and commit themselves to rebuilding the party. Their grievances deepened after Indira manoeuvred her way to the prime ministership after the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri in January 1966, and remained in the post after the 196...