Perks of the coalition like nature and factionalism in Congress:
The coalition-like nature of the Congress party gave it unique strength and advantages.
A coalition accommodates all those who join it, necessitating a balanced approach and compromise on various issues.
This strategy made it difficult for the opposition to differentiate themselves, as Congress would incorporate their positions into its program and ideology.
The Congress party, being a coalition, displayed greater tolerance for internal differences and accommodated the ambitions of various groups and leaders.
Even if a group within the party was dissatisfied with its position or share of power, they would remain within the party and engage in internal struggles rather than forming an opposition party.
These groups within the party are called factions, which were rooted in ideological considerations and personal ambitions.
Instead of being a weakness, internal factionalism became a strength of the Congress party, as it retained leaders representing diverse interests and ideologies within its fold.
The Congress party's state units consisted of numerous factions, with factions taking different ideological positions, presenting the Congress as a centrist party.
Other parties primarily sought to influence these factions to indirectly impact policy and decision-making from the "margins."
These parties were distant from the actual exercise of authority and acted as pressure groups, constantly pressuring, criticizing, censuring, and influencing Congress.
The system of factions within the ruling party acted as a balancing mechanism, and political competition occurred within the Congress itself.
During the initial decade of electoral competition, the Congress party simultaneously functioned as the ruling party and the opposition, leading to this period being described as the "Congress system" in Indian politics
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