The results of the 1967 Assembly Election were described as a 'Political Earthquake’s by many contemporary political observers because:

(1) The first non-congress government was formed at the centre
(2) Many new political parties had contested the elections
(3) The number of voters had increased significantly
(4) Congress did get the majority in the Lok Sabha but lower seats and share of the vote since 1952

4

The results of the 1967 Assembly Election were described as a 'Political Earthquake' by many contemporary political observers because: (4) Congress did get the majority in the Lok Sabha but lower seats and share of the vote since 1952.

Against the backdrop of growing public discontent and the deepening division among political factions, the fourth general elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies took place in February 1967. For the first time, the Congress Party faced the electorate without Nehru's presence. The election results sent shockwaves through the Congress Party, both nationally and at the state levels. Numerous contemporary political analysts labeled the outcome as a 'political earthquake.' Although the Congress Party did secure a majority in the Lok Sabha, it obtained its lowest count of seats and share of votes since 1952. Significantly, half of the ministers within Indira Gandhi's cabinet experienced defeat. Several esteemed political figures, such as Kamaraj in Tamil Nadu, S.K. Patil in Maharashtra, Atulya Ghosh in West Bengal, and K. B. Sahay in Bihar, suffered losses in their respective constituencies.