In which way did the coalition-like character of the Congress give it unusual strength?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → It exhibited greater tolerance of internal differences.
Option (1) There was a hierarchy among those who joined it. — Incorrect. A coalition accommodates all those who join it; its strength did not come from ranking them.
Option (2) It took extreme position to strike a balance on all issues. — Incorrect. It is the reverse: a coalition has to avoid any extreme position and strike a balance on almost all issues.
Option (3) It exhibited greater tolerance of internal differences. — Correct. In a party that has the nature of a coalition, there is a greater tolerance of internal differences, and the ambitions of various groups and leaders are accommodated.
Option (4) Groups that were unhappy with the position of the party, would leave the party and become an ‘opposition’. — Incorrect. An unhappy group would remain inside the party and fight the other groups rather than leave and become an ‘opposition’.
NCERT (2025-26): “Tolerance and management of factions … This coalition-like character of the Congress gave it an unusual strength. Firstly, a coalition accommodates all those who join it. Therefore, it has to avoid any extreme position and strike a balance on almost all issues. Compromise and inclusiveness are the hallmarks of a coalition. This strategy put the opposition in a difficulty. Anything that the opposition wanted to say, would also find a place in the programme and ideology of the Congress. Secondly, in a party that has the nature of a coalition, there is a greater tolerance of internal differences and ambitions of various groups and leaders are accommodated. The Congress did both these things during the freedom struggle and continued doing this even after Independence. That is why, even if a group was not happy with the position of the party or with its share of power, it would remain inside the party and fight the other groups rather than leaving the party and becoming an ‘opposition’.…” |