Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Political Science

Chapter

Politics in India Since Independence: Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System

Question:

The expression 'Aya Ram, Gaya Ram' became popular in the political vocabulary in India to describe:

Options:

An amazing feat of floor crossing achieved by Ramlal, an MLA.

Practice of frequent floor-crossing and shifting political loyalties by MLAs.

Press release that declared Ramlal was changing his party.

Gaya Lal changed his party a number of times.

Correct Answer:

Practice of frequent floor-crossing and shifting political loyalties by MLAs.

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 2 - Practice of frequent floor-crossing and shifting political loyalties by MLAs.

The expression ‘aya ram, gaya ram’ became popular in the political vocabulary in India to describe the practice of frequent floorcrossing by legislators. Literally translated the terms meant, Ram came and Ram went. The expression originated in an amazing feat of floor crossing achieved by Gaya Lal, an MLA in Haryana, in 1967. He changed his party thrice in a fortnight, from Congress to United Front, back to Congress and then within nine hours to United Front again! It is said that when Gaya Lal declared his intention to quit the United Front and join the Congress, the Congress leader, Rao Birendra Singh brought him to Chandigarh press and declared “Gaya Ram was now Aya Ram”. Gaya Lal’s feat was immortalised in the phrase “Aya Ram, Gaya Ram” which became the subject of numerous jokes and cartoons. Later, the Constitution was amended to prevent defections.