The true challenge faced by Indira Gandhi did not originate externally from the opposition, but rather emerged from her own party's ranks. Within her party, she encountered the "syndicate," an assemblage of influential and potent leaders. This group had played a pivotal role in the process of electing Indira Gandhi as the Prime Minister, securing her position as the leader of the parliamentary party. The members of the Syndicate anticipated that Indira Gandhi would heed their counsel. However, over time, Indira Gandhi embarked on a journey to establish her authority within both the government and the party. She surrounded herself with a circle of trusted advisors from outside the party, and through a gradual and meticulous approach, she diminished the influence of the Syndicate.

How did the Syndicate leaders respond to the Ten Point Programme?

They were skeptical despite formal approval.

Indira Gandhi faced two prominent challenges during this time. Firstly, she aimed to establish her autonomy from the Syndicate's influence. Simultaneously, she endeavored to reclaim the political footing that the Congress had lost in the 1967 elections. To tackle these challenges, Indira Gandhi took a remarkably audacious approach. She transformed what appeared to be a straightforward struggle for power into an intricate ideological conflict. This strategic maneuver involved the launch of a sequence of initiatives that shifted the direction of government policies towards a Left-leaning orientation. One notable accomplishment was her success in persuading the Congress Working Committee to adopt the Ten Point Programme in May 1967. Interestingly, despite the formal endorsement of this Left-wing agenda by the 'syndicate' leaders, they held profound reservations about its implications.