The Congress's state units largely consisted of multiple factions, leading to the appearance of a grand centrist party. Other political parties primarily sought to exert influence over these factions, indirectly shaping policy and decision-making from the sidelines. These parties functioned as pressure groups, continually pressuring, criticizing, censuring, and influencing the Congress. They did not present themselves as alternatives to the ruling party but rather sought to influence it. Within the Congress, the system of factions acted as a balancing mechanism, fostering political competition. Consequently, during the initial decade of electoral competition, the Congress simultaneously functioned as both the ruling party and the opposition. This period in Indian politics is often referred to as the "Congress system."

How did other political parties influence policy and decision-making within the Congress?

By influencing the factions within the Congress.

The Congress's state units largely consisted of multiple factions, leading to the appearance of a grand centrist party. Other political parties primarily sought to exert influence over these factions, indirectly shaping policy and decision-making from the sidelines. These parties functioned as pressure groups, continually pressuring, criticizing, censuring, and influencing the Congress. They did not present themselves as alternatives to the ruling party but rather sought to influence it.