The primary challenge to Indira Gandhi didn't arise from external opposition but rather from within her own political party. She confronted the 'syndicate,' a formidable group comprising influential figures from Congress. The syndicate had played a pivotal role in Indira Gandhi's ascent to Prime Ministership by ensuring her election as the parliamentary party leader. These leaders expected her compliance with their guidance. Over time, Indira Gandhi aimed to establish her authority within both the government and the party. She formed a circle of trusted advisors from beyond the party, slowly sidelining the syndicate with careful deliberation. The tensions between the syndicate and Indira Gandhi escalated openly in 1969. That year, following the demise of President Zakir Hussain, the position of the President of India became vacant. Despite reservations from Mrs. Gandhi, the syndicate successfully nominated her long-standing opponent for the role.

Which of the following leaders was the President of the Congress Party and also led the 'Syndicates'?

K. Kamraj

The correct answer is Option 3 - K. Kamraj

K. Kamraj was the President of the Congress Party and the politician who led the syndicates.

Syndicate was the informal name given to a group of Congress leaders who were in control of the party’s organisation. It was led by K. Kamraj, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and then the president of the Congress party. It included powerful State leaders like S. K. Patil of Bombay city (later named as Mumbai), S. Nijalingappa of Mysore (later Karnataka), N. Sanjeeva Reddy of Andhra Pradesh and Atulya Ghosh of West Bengal. Both Lal Bahadur Shastri and later Indira Gandhi owed their position to the support received from the Syndicate.