Question

Name the leader who gave the slogan 'Garibi Hatao'.

Hint:

Associate Indira Gandhi with Garibi Hatao. It was her signature socialist policy slogan that completely neutralized the opposition's combined Grand Alliance in the 1971 elections.

Answer 1

Step 1: Defining the Political Slogan of 1971:
The slogan “Garibi Hatao” (Remove Poverty) is one of the most successful and iconic political slogans in the history of Indian democracy.

Step 2: Who Formulated the Slogan:
It was formulated and popularized by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during her campaign for the fifth Lok Sabha elections in 1971.

Step 3: Strategic Political Utility:
The opposition parties had formed a massive coalition against her, known as the Grand Alliance. While the Grand Alliance focused on a purely negative campaign with the slogan “Indira Hatao” (Remove Indira), Indira Gandhi countered with a positive, socialist appeal: “They say remove Indira; I say remove poverty (Garibi Hatao).” This slogan resonated with the rural poor, landless laborers, Dalits, and women, giving her a landslide mandate.