Which major political event followed the dissolution of the Lok Sabha in December 1970?

The fifth general election to the Lok Sabha in February 1971

The fracture within the Congress party in 1969 led to a decrease in the strength of Indira Gandhi's government. Despite this setback, her administration managed to cling to power through conditional support from a handful of other political parties, including the Communist Party of India and the DMK. During this phase, there was a concerted effort by the government to highlight its socialist principles. It was also a time when Indira Gandhi passionately championed the enforcement of existing land reform legislation and introduced additional laws to regulate land ownership. Focused on minimizing reliance on external parties and fortifying her party's influence in the Parliament, Indira Gandhi's administration proposed the dissolution of the Lok Sabha in December 1970—a bold and unexpected manoeuvre. This marked yet another surprising move in her political playbook. Subsequently, the fifth general election for the Lok Sabha took place in February 1971, as a means to seek popular endorsement for her policies.