What was the theoretical defence of ‘non-Congressism’ by Lohia?

The correct answer is Option (4) → The undemocratic nature of the Congress rule.

Option (1) The growing internal democratization within the Congress. — Incorrect. The opposition parties saw the internal factionalism within the Congress, not its democratisation, as their chance to topple it.

Option (2) The opposition to Congress’s policy of nationalisation of means of production. — Incorrect. Nationalisation means that the state takes over the ownership of private enterprises, as when banks and General Insurance were nationalised under Indira Gandhi. Lohia’s argument for non-Congressism was not an economic one about such ownership; it was that Congress rule was undemocratic and against the poor.

Option (3) To reclaim Congress dominance after the Fifth General Elections. — Incorrect. Non-Congressism aimed to bring the non-Congress parties together to topple the Congress, before the fourth general elections of 1967.

Option (4) The undemocratic nature of the Congress rule. — Correct. Lohia’s theoretical argument was that Congress rule was undemocratic and opposed to the interests of ordinary poor people, so the non-Congress parties had to come together to reclaim democracy for the people.