In the years preceding the fourth general elections, the nation observed significant transformations. Two Prime Ministers had passed away in rapid sequence, and the fresh Prime Minister, who was perceived as a political neophyte, had held office for fewer than twelve months. The era was marked by a severe economic turmoil caused by consecutive monsoon failures, extensive drought, reduced agricultural output, acute food scarcity, draining of foreign currency reserves, decline in industrial output and exports, along with a substantial increase in defense spending and the redirection of resources from planning and economic growth.

Who was unanimously chosen as the leader of the Congress parliamentary party and the next Prime Minister of India after Nehru's Death?

Lal Bahadur Shastri

When Nehru passed away, K. Kamraj, the president of the Congress party consulted party leaders and Congress members of Parliament and found that there was a consensus in favor of Lal Bahadur Shastri. He was unanimously chosen as the leader of the Congress parliamentary party and thus became the country’s next Prime Minister.