Understanding the Political Event: Gujarat Elections 1975

The question asks about a prominent leader from Congress (O) who threatened an indefinite fast to demand assembly elections in Gujarat in 1975. This event was a significant moment in Indian politics leading up to the declaration of the Emergency.

Context: Gujarat Politics in 1975

In 1974, the state of Gujarat saw the 'Nav Nirman' movement, a student-led agitation against corruption and rising prices. This movement led to the resignation of the then Chief Minister, Chimanbhai Patel, and the dissolution of the state assembly. Gujarat was subsequently placed under President's Rule. The demand arose for holding fresh assembly elections in the state.

The Role of Congress (O) and Morarji Desai

Congress (O), or the Indian National Congress (Organisation), was a faction of the Indian National Congress formed after the split in 1969. Morarji Desai was a very senior and prominent leader of Congress (O). He had a strong political base, including in the region that is now Gujarat (he was the Chief Minister of the undivided Bombay State). As a key opposition leader, he took up the cause of demanding elections in Gujarat.

Morarji Desai's Indefinite Fast

When the central government seemed reluctant to hold elections in Gujarat despite the end of the stipulated period for President's Rule, Morarji Desai announced that he would undertake an indefinite fast. He began his fast on April 6, 1975, in support of the demand for holding assembly elections in Gujarat. The fast was a form of political protest to pressure the government.

Impact of the Fast

Morarji Desai's fast gained significant attention and put considerable pressure on the government. Facing this pressure, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi announced that assembly elections would be held in Gujarat in June 1975. Morarji Desai ended his fast after this announcement.

Analyzing the Options

• Jaya Prakash Narayan: Known for leading the "Total Revolution" movement, which gained momentum in 1974 and 1975. While he was a key opposition figure, the specific indefinite fast for Gujarat elections in 1975 was undertaken by Morarji Desai.
• Atal Behari Vajpayee: A leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (which later merged into the Janata Party). He was a prominent opposition figure but was not the leader from Congress (O) who undertook this specific fast.
• Morarji Desai: As discussed, he was a senior leader of Congress (O) and precisely the person who went on an indefinite fast in April 1975 demanding assembly elections in Gujarat.
• Raj Narain: Known for filing the election petition against Indira Gandhi that led to the Allahabad High Court judgment. He was a socialist leader, not from Congress (O), and was not the one who undertook this fast.

Based on historical events, Morarji Desai was the leader from Congress (O) who announced and undertook an indefinite fast for holding assembly elections in Gujarat in 1975.

Revision Table: Key Leaders & Events 1975

Let's summarise the roles of some key leaders around this period:

Additional Information: Political Landscape in 1975

The political climate in India in 1975 was highly charged. The demand for elections in Gujarat was part of broader opposition pressure on the central government. The Nav Nirman movement had highlighted issues of governance and corruption. Morarji Desai's fast was a crucial event that brought the Gujarat situation back into the national spotlight. The elections were eventually held in June 1975, just before the declaration of the National Emergency on June 25, 1975. The outcome of the Gujarat elections, where the opposition coalition (Janata Morcha, including Congress O) won, is sometimes seen as a factor that contributed to the government's decision to declare Emergency.