Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Political Science

Chapter

Politics in India Since Independence: Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System

Question:

After Election of 1967, why was the slogan "Aya Ram, Gaya Ram" used in political vocabulary?

Options:

An Elected representative left the party on whose symbol he/she was elected.

They were present few times in Parliament

The elected members never came to the Parliament

Elected members didn't care for voters.

Correct Answer:

An Elected representative left the party on whose symbol he/she was elected.

Explanation:

The correct answer is option (1) - An Elected representative left the party on whose symbol he/she was elected.

The expression ‘aya ram, gaya ram’ became popular in the political vocabulary in India to describe the practice of frequent floorcrossing by legislators. Literally translated the terms meant, Ram came and Ram went. The expression originated in an amazing feat of floor crossing achieved by Gaya Lal, an MLA in Haryana, in 1967. He changed his party thrice in a fortnight, from Congress to United Front, back to Congress and then within nine hours to United Front again! It is said that when Gaya Lal declared his intention to quit the United Front and join the Congress, the Congress leader, Rao Birendra Singh brought him to Chandigarh press and declared “Gaya Ram was now Aya Ram”. Gaya Lal’s feat was immortalised in the phrase “Aya Ram, Gaya Ram” which became the subject of numerous jokes and cartoons. Later, the Constitution was amended to prevent defections.