Why were the fifth general elections held one year earlier in 1971 instead of 1972 ? Explain any two reasons.

Question :Why were the fifth general elections held one year earlier in 1971 instead of 1972 ? Explain any two reasons.

The correct answer is -The fifth general elections in India, which were scheduled to be held in 1972, were instead held a year earlier in 1971. Here are two possible reasons for the early elections:

1. Bangladesh Liberation War: One of the main reasons for the early elections was the Bangladesh Liberation War, which broke out in March 1971. The war had a significant impact on India’s political situation, as millions of refugees from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) fled into India. This led to a humanitarian crisis, with India struggling to cope with the large influx of refugees. The government of India, led by Indira Gandhi, felt that it was necessary to hold early elections to seek a fresh mandate from the people to deal with the crisis.

2. Political instability: The early 1970s were marked by political instability in India. The ruling Congress party had been facing challenges from within, with various factions vying for power. This had led to frequent changes in leadership and a lack of stability in the government. The decision to hold early elections was seen as a way to resolve this political instability and create a more stable government with a clear mandate from the people.

In summary, the early 1971 general elections were held primarily due to the Bangladesh Liberation War and the political instability in the country. The elections were intended to provide a fresh mandate to the government and bring stability to India’s political situation.