Indira Gandhi: Resurrection

Abstract

The maneuvers to break up Janata’s unity succeeded beyond expectations, and Sanjay had played a leading role both in formulating and applying them. As a Gandhi supporter wrote, “Sanjay had literally demolished the artificial unity of the Janata government and they had to fight the elections as four different parties.” The most effective party, however, was that of Indira’s Congress. Even before Singh’s fall, Madam had gone on the campaign trail. With Sanjay’s help and a map of India, key people in each constituency were identified. But with almost all the old party leadership opposed, Indira would have to rely on the Youth Congress to ensure that vast numbers of rural supporters could get to the polls.¹