History of Indian National Congress
Founded on 28th day of December 1885 by A. 0. Hume ( retired British Civil Servant ), which is still the 2nd biggest party of the country in 2024 after a whole period of 139 years from the establishment, other personalities like Dadabhai Naroji, Dinshaw Warcha were also key founders of Indian National Congress.
The main focus of the establishment was make a share in government for educated Indians and to create a stage for civil and political dialogue between the British Government and Indian Educated People. The first session took place in (Bombay) now Mumbai and 72 delegates were present.
In core phase it was dominated by leaders like Dadabhai Naroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Pherozeshah Mehta, who believed in Constitutional Methods. But in 1907 a split occurred between the moderates and extremist like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Rajpat Rai, who believed in Swaraj (self-rule) or full independence.
Meanwhile in 1915 a person named Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi returned to India and became a central and popular figure of Indian National Congress, he believed in Non-voilent civil disobedience and mass mobilization tactics to transform INC to a mass movement. Some important movements of Gandhi were Non-cooperation Movement 1920-1922, Civil Disobedience Movement 1930-1934 and the famous Quit India Movement in 1942.
Post Independence Era
Post-Independence, the Indian National Congress played a important role in Shaping Modern India’s Political Landscape. Jawaharlal Nehru become the first prime minister of India and ran the office till his death in 1964. Then the INCs main focus was on building a mixed economy, industrialization, and maintaining secularism.
Indira Gandhi , Nehru’s daughter became the Prime Minister of India after the tragic death of Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1966. She saw a significant tenure because of events like the Green Revolution, nationalization of Banks, 1971 Indo-Pak war and creation of Bangladesh. Indira Gandhi also declared an emergency, suspending civil liberties and censorship of press between 1975-1977. This period had a crack down in politics for political opposition which led to her defeat in 1977.
After the brutal assassination of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi become the Prime Minister. He was focused on technological and economic reforms, moving forward towards Liberalization. He also faced challenges like Bhopal gas tragedy and the rise on insurgency in Sri Lanka and Punjab.
The Indian National Congress faced political instability with changes in leadership of P. V. Narashimha Rao after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. Rao’s Government from 1991-1996 is significantly credited with economic reforms, leading India toward liberalization and Economic growth. In 1998 Sonia Gandhi widow of Rajiv Gandhi took over the party’s leadership. The INC led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) won in 2004 and 2009 as Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister.
Data base of Elections
Lok Sabha Elections
2004 General Elections:
Total Seats: 543
Seats Contested by INC: 417
Seats Won by INC: 145
Vote Share: 26.7%
2009 General Elections:
Total Seats: 543Seats
Contested by INC: 440
Seats Won by INC: 206
Vote Share: 28.55%
2014 General Elections:
Total Seats: 543
Seats Contested by INC: 464
Seats Won by INC: 44
Vote Share: 19.03%
2019 General Elections:
Total Seats: 543
Seats Contested by INC: 421
Seats Won by INC: 52
Vote Share: 19.49%
VIDHAN SABHA ELECTIONS KEY STATE
MAHARASHTRA
2004: Seats Contested: 157, Seats Won: 69, Vote Share: 21.01%
2009: Seats Contested: 174, Seats Won: 82, Vote Share: 21.01%
2014: Seats Contested: 287, Seats Won: 42, Vote Share: 18.02%
2019: Seats Contested: 147, Seats Won: 44, Vote Share: 15.88%
UTTAR PRADESH
2007: Seats Contested: 393, Seats Won: 22, Vote Share: 08.61%
2012: Seats Contested: 355, Seats Won: 28, Vote Share: 11.65%
2017: Seats Contested: 114, Seats Won: 07, Vote Share: 06.25%
2022: Seats Contested: 401, Seats Won: 02, Vote Share: 02.33%
MADHYA PRADESH
2003: Seats Contested: 230, Seats Won: 38, Vote Share: 31.61%
2008: Seats Contested: 230, Seats Won: 71, Vote Share: 32.39%
2013: Seats Contested: 229, Seats Won: 58, Vote Share: 36.38%
2018: Seats Contested: 229, Seats Won: 114, Vote Share: 40.89%
RAJASTHAN
2003: Seats Contested: 200, Seats Won: 56, Vote Share: 35.61%
2008: Seats Contested: 200, Seats Won: 96, Vote Share: 36.82%
2013: Seats Contested: 200, Seats Won: 21, Vote Share: 33.07%
2018: Seats Contested: 119, Seats Won: 100, Vote Share: 39.03%
KARNATAKA
2004: Seats Contested: 222, Seats Won: 65, Vote Share: 35.28%
2009: Seats Contested: 222, Seats Won: 80, Vote Share: 34.76%
2014: Seats Contested: 223, Seats Won: 122, Vote Share: 36.59%
2019: Seats Contested: 221, Seats Won: 78, Vote Share: 38.14%
Manifestos of Indian National Congress
2004 General Election Manifesto
Important points are:
Economic reforms
Employment
Agriculture
Education
Health
Social security
Measures against corruption
Fulfillment
The UPA government under Manmohan Singh oversaw significant economic growth, while significant job were created, the target of 1 crore jobs annually was not consistently met. Investments in agriculture increased, including loan waivers and subsidies. Public health spending increased but did not reach the promised 2-3% of GDP.
2009 Genral Election Manifesto
1.Inclusive Growth
2.Employment
3.Education
4.Health
5.Infrastructure
6.Women Empowerment
7.Measures against corruption
Fulfillment
Promises like MGNREGA and food security schemes were expanded the right to education act in 2009 was enacted. The national health insurance scheme was expanded. Significant investments were made in infrastructure, including rural fraud and urban projects. The woman’s reservation bill was introduced, but not passed. Measure measures like the lokpal bill were introduced, but face challenges in implementation.
2014 Genral Election Manifesto
1.Economic revival
2.Employment
3.Education
4.Health
5.Infrastructure
6.Social security
7.Governance
2019 Genral Election Manifesto
1.Economic development
2.Agrarian crisis
3.Education and health
4.Womens right
5.Social justice
6.Infrastructure
7.Governance
Cases on UPA
1. 2G spectrum Scam 2008
2. Common wealth Games Scam 2010
3. Coal Allocation Scam 2012
4. Adarsh Housing Society Scam 2010
5. National Rural Health Mission Scam 2012
6. Tat Truck Scam 2012
7.Aircel-Maxis Deal 2006
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