Understanding C. Rajagopalachari's Political Affiliation

The question asks about the political party of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari at the time of his demise. C. Rajagopalachari was a prominent Indian statesman, independence activist, lawyer, writer, historian, and politician. He held several important positions in independent India, including the last Governor-General of India.

Initially, C. Rajagopalachari was a key leader within the Indian National Congress. However, over time, he developed differences with the party's direction, particularly its economic policies.

The Formation of the Swatantra Party

These differences led him to establish a new political party. In 1959, C. Rajagopalachari, along with other leaders like N. G. Ranga and Minoo Masani, founded the Swatantra Party. The Swatantra Party advocated for classical liberalism, free enterprise, and a limited role for the state in the economy, standing in opposition to the Congress party's increasingly socialist policies.

C. Rajagopalachari remained actively involved with the Swatantra Party from its formation until his death.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the given options:

• Congress: C. Rajagopalachari was a leader of the Congress for a long time, but he left the party and founded the Swatantra Party in 1959 due to ideological differences. He was not a member of the Congress at the time of his death.
• Republican: The Republican Party in India primarily refers to the Republican Party of India, founded by B. R. Ambedkar. C. Rajagopalachari was not associated with this party.
• Jan Sangh: The Bharatiya Jana Sangh was a right-wing political party that later became the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While the Swatantra Party and Jan Sangh sometimes collaborated, C. Rajagopalachari was not a member of the Jan Sangh.
• Swatantra: C. Rajagopalachari founded the Swatantra Party in 1959 and remained its key figure until his death in 1972.

Based on historical facts, C. Rajagopalachari was associated with the Swatantra Party at the time of his demise.

Revision Table: Key Political Milestones

Additional Information on the Swatantra Party

The Swatantra Party gained significant support in several regions during the 1960s, becoming a major opposition force against the Congress party. Its ideology focused on:

• Free market economy
• Reduced government intervention
• Protection of property rights
• Opposition to Nehruvian socialism

The party contested several general elections before eventually dissolving in 1974, two years after C. Rajagopalachari's death, with many of its members joining other parties like the Bharatiya Lok Dal.