Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Political Science

Chapter

Politics in India Since Independence: Crisis of democratic Order

Question:

Read the passage and answer the question:

This was also the period when the government and the ruling party had many differences with the judiciary. Three constitutional issues had emerged- can the Parliament abridge Fundamental Rights? The Supreme Court said it cannot. Secondly, can the Parliament curtail the right to property by making an amendment? Again, the Court said that Parliament cannot amend the Constitution in such a manner that rights are curtailed. Thirdly, the Parliament amended the Constitution saying that it can abridge Fundamental Rights for giving effect to Directive Principles. But the Supreme Court rejected this provision also. This led to a crisis as far as the relations between the government and the judiciary were concerned.This crisis culminated in the famous Kesavananda Bharati Case. In this case, the Court gave a decision that there are some basic features of the Constitution and the Parliament cannot amend these features. Two developments further added to the tension between the judiciary and the executive.

On what ground Raj Narain challenged the election of Indira Gandhi to the Lok Sabha as invalid?

Options:

She was corrupted.

She had used the services of government servants in her election campaign.

She rigged the elections

She was involved in the murder conspiracy of Lal Bahadur Shastri

Correct Answer:

She had used the services of government servants in her election campaign.

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option 2 - She had used the services of government servants in her election campaign.

Raj Narain, a socialist leader and a candidate who had contested against Indira Gandhi in 1971 challenged the election of Indira Gandhi on the ground that she had used the services of government servants in her election campaign. The judgment of the High Court meant that legally she was no more an MP and therefore, could not remain the Prime Minister unless she was once again elected as an MP within six months. On June 24, the Supreme Court granted her a partial stay on the High Court order – till her appeal was decided, she could remain an MP but could not take part in the proceedings of the Lok Sabha.