Word: swatantra
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Best chances for the opposition is in the state assemblies (see map). In Rajasthan, the Swatantra and Jana Sangh could topple the Congress leadership, and in West Bengal a leftist front could overthrow Congress. In the Punjab a Sikh separate language party threatens Congress for control of the Assembly. In Mysore, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, Congress may lose some seats. In Parliament its victory is beyond question, though the opposition parties may win as many as 200 of the 494 seats...
Even though Congress will win, the election will still have considerable effect on national attitudes. The Congress Party's very amorphousness makes its members highly susceptible to the pressure of any opposition. If the Hindu-first Jana Sangh does well, it will influence conservative Hindu Congressmen. If the Swatantra scores or Menon does poorly, it will infuriate Nehru and immeasurably strengthen the conservative element within his own Cabinet. But if the rest of the opposition falters, the Communists by default could widen their power. Says the Swatantra's Rajagopalachari: "Whether we win or not, making the attempt...
...eyes. Pensioned off with handsome privy purses, some of the maharajahs retired to dream of past glories. But about 20 have entered the diplomatic service; another 40 are in politics. None has created the stir caused by the Maharani of Jaipur, who chose to join the new and growing Swatantra Party, a right-wing group that attacks the "socialism" of Nehru's Congress Party and calls for the kind of individualism sought in the U.S. by Dwight Eisenhower. The party's venerable founder is Chakravatri Rajagopalachari, first native-born Governor General of India, who lyrically describes the maharani...
Listen, My Sisters. Speeding from village to village, the campaigning maharani grimly undergoes such ritualistic welcomes as having her mouth stuffed with sweetmeats seven times, then explains the Swatantra platform to enthusiastic peasant crowds. Attacking Nehru's ruling Congress Party, she is sometimes fuzzy, particularly on foreign affairs, and when stumped, disarmingly admits: "I don't really know any more about this.'' But on the whole, she knows what she wants. Says she, the Congress Party's economic policy "is like growing a babul tree and expecting to get mangoes. They come to you when...
...year plans, but we are taking on more than we can cope with." The maharani makes a special pitch to the Hindu village women who listen to her, traditionally segregated behind bamboo fences: "I want to tell you, my sisters here, to cast your votes in favor of the Swatantra Party...