Indian National Congress, founded in 1885, demanded a larger government role for Indians. The Indian National Congress became the spearhead of the Indian movement for independence from Great Britain. Its membership became overwhelmingly Hindu, as most Muslim members left it for the Muslim League. In 1919, led by Mohandas Gandhi, it adopted a policy of Satyagraha (nonviolent resistance) toward the British. The party was outlawed during World War II for refusing to support the British war effort, and most of its leaders were jailed. After India achieved independence (1947), Jawaharlal Nehru headed both the government and the party. Its dominance continued after Nehru's death (1964) under Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri and Nehru's daughter, Indira Gandhi. In 1969 the party split: the conservative wing became the Old Congress party; Indira Gandhi's followers became the New Congress party, winning a landslide victory in 1971. But this party was also to split. After its electoral defeat in 1977, Mrs. Gandhi withdrew and in 1978 formed a new faction, the Congress-I (for Indira) party, which brought her back into power in Jan. 1980. Her Sikh bodyguards assassinated her in 1984. Her son Rajiv Gandhi succeeded her as Prime Minister (1984-90) and leader of the party until his assassination in 1991. P.V. Narasimha Rao succeeded him as party leader.Leaders of the Indian National CongressNehRu, Pandit Motilal, 1861-1931, Indian nationalist politician who was an associate of Mahatma Gandhi and an influential leader in the years leading to India's independence. His son Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964), also greatly involved in the movement for self-governance, was the political heir to Gandhi and the first Prime Minister of independent India (1947-1964).Patel, Vallabhbhai, 1875-1950, Indian political leader. A longtime leader in the Indian National Congress, he helped negotiate India's independence in 1947 and served as deputy Prime Minister until his death.Neh...
