20 March 1977
Indira Gandhi loses her seat and general elections.
After the dissolution of LokSabha on 18 January earlier that year,elections were held between 16 to 20 March.
The elections in 1977 were the first after Indira Gandhi announced emergency in India.
This is the clip of a news article that appeared in a US daily with a rather strong point of view.
ABC news report on the evening of 20 March can be seen in this video on ABC's website.
Khanderao has more to share on this issue...
Indira Gandhi was the first woman prime minister of India. Atal Bihari Vajpayee called her Durgaa Ma after the war of 1971 that saw the liberation of Bangladesh. But the admiration was not to continue for long. Indira, fondly called Priyadarshini by Pt Nehru, was to become arguably the most controversial person in India’s Democracy during 1975-1977.
It was during this period that she advised then President of India Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed to impose a state of emergency. (There is actually a provision in the Indian Constitution for this. Article 352.[Wikipedia]) . see the Article here : http://www.indiankanoon.org/doc/1018568/
What was the reason for the emergency to be imposed? It had become impossible for Indira Gandhi to continue as the Prime Minister of India after the Allahabad High Court found Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractices in the preceding elections which had seen her coming to power for the second time. It was famously termed firing the prime minister for a driving ticket by The Times. Another reason, is believed to be the railway strike brought about by George Fernandes - a socialist leader- and the events that followed. The emergency lasted for 21 months. Indira declared general elections after that. The Congress contested at more than 450 seats but could manage to win only 189 that too mainly because of the success in the southern states. Indira Gandhi had been rejected by the people of India. It was on this day in history that emergency came to an end.
In spite of all her shortcomings, she will also be noted for playing an important role in reviving India's nuclear program after Pandit Nehru, Green revolution and nationalization of banks.
-Khanderao
