Question

Describe any two events that led to the split in the Congress Party in 1969.

Hint:

Use the presidential election of 1969 and the clash of Indira Gandhi with the Syndicate, including bank nationalisation.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the question:
The Congress divided in 1969 into Congress (O) and Congress (R). Two events leading to it are asked, 2 marks each.

Step 2: Event 1: Presidential election of 1969:
After the death of President Zakir Husain, the Syndicate named N. Sanjiva Reddy as the official party candidate.
Indira Gandhi did not agree and supported V. V. Giri, who stood as an independent. Giri won, and this defeat of the party choice opened the fight in the open.

Step 3: Event 2: Bank nationalisation and expulsion:
In July 1969 Indira Gandhi took away the Finance portfolio from Morarji Desai and nationalised 14 banks.
The party president S. Nijalingappa then expelled her for breaking party discipline in November 1969, and the party broke into two.

Final Answer:
The dispute over the presidential candidate in 1969, and the bank nationalisation and expulsion of Indira Gandhi from the party, caused the Congress split.