India 1966, upon the sudden demise of second Prime Minister of India, late Lal Bahadur Shastri, who would now lead India and the government, was a serious question and race for power began in Delhi.
Let us look at the incident, which changed Indian politics forever and named Nehrus daughter, Indira Gandhi as India’s first woman Prime Minister.
Senior Congress leader late Morarji Desai and Syndicates choice late Indira Gandhi, were the two candidates, contesting for PM’s office. Due to the inter-party differences, Congress Party, which was governing Centre at that time, could not decide upon one name for the post of Prime Minister.
The then Congress President, late K Kamaraj, wanted to resolve this matter within the party but Desai was adamant on calling for a parliamentary election. Desai was quoted saying, Congresss working committee can’t decide the countrys Prime Minister, the representatives of Indian people sitting in the parliament, should.
Kamaraj agreed on having elections and a date was decided. Media persons gathered in large numbers, as parliamentarians (Lok Sabha Rajya Sabha) were voting for the next Prime Minister of India.
A reporter from outside called, Who is it? boy or girl?? a voice came from inside of the parliament building and said, It’s a girl, girl in white khadi sari with a shawl. That’s how on 19 January 1966, India and the world got to know that Indira Gandhi defeated Morarji Desai by securing 355 votes from 524 and became, the third Prime Minister of India.
Gandhi succeeded Shastri and went on governing India from 1966-1977. She again came back to power in 1980 and governed till 1984. On 31st October 1984, she was assassinated by her own bodyguards at her residence, in Delhi.