On Jan 19, 1966, the high-domed Central Hall of Parliament — where India’s Constitution had been adopted — witnessed a spectacle unlike any before. For the first time since Independence, the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) elected its leader through a full-fledged contest. Out of that tense, four-hour drama emerged Indira Gandhi, 48, as India’s first woman Prime Minister.“She was cheered as she entered the hall, clad in a white sari with a light brown shawl wrapping her shoulders,” TOI reported. When the returning officer announced, “I declare Mrs Gandhi elected,” the hall broke into “thunderous cheers”. It was not merely a personal triumph. The vote marked a turning point for the Congress party — and for the way succession battles would be fought within it.After Lal Bahadur Shastri’s sudden death in Tashkent, in Jan 1966, India was without a Prime Minister once again. Acting PM Gulzarilal Nanda took charge.

Indira Gandhi did not enter a smooth succession. The only daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, she had long lived in his shadow — first as his companion, later as a political figure in her own right. She had served as information minister under Shastri and as Congress president in 1960.Powerful regional leaders — chief ministers of 11 of India’s then 16 states — rallied behind her, signalling support just four days before the vote. Another contender, Nanda, withdrew. But Morarji Desai, the formidable former finance minister, refused to step aside.“Why should I form a separate party? I am a true Congressman and I will remain in the Congress,” Desai declared. What many expected to be a smooth transition became one of the most bitterly fought leadership contests in India’s parliamentary history.At the centre of the storm was Congress president K Kamaraj, who tried to avoid a contest. However, Desai insisted on a ballot, alleging “pressure” on MPs to back a particular candidate. Chief ministers, he said, had “no business” imposing their preferences on the CPP. Kamaraj countered that in a federal democracy, the views of the states mattered.On the eve of the vote, Desai told reporters that MPs were “not dumb cattle” and framed the battle as one between the party establishment and ordinary parliamentarians. He said he had proof of pressure — but declined to elaborate, arguing that naming supporters could expose them to victimisation if he lost.

As the vote neared, Delhi became a political beehive. Chief ministers met MPs from their states, and journalists camped outside the homes of Kamaraj, Desai and Indira Gandhi.On Jan 19, the Central Hall filled with 526 Congress MPs — a record turnout. Desai arrived first, greeting members with folded hands. Minutes later, Indira Gandhi walked in, went up to Desai, said “namaste,” and posed with him as photographers urged them to clasp hands.In the nominations, the lines were clear. Desai was proposed by K Hanumanthaiya. Indira Gandhi’s name was proposed by acting Prime Minister Nanda and seconded by Sanjiva Reddy.Counting dragged on through the afternoon, fuelling tension and rumours of an imminent result. Four times there were false alarms. Then, around 3pm, the returning officer emerged.“I declare Mrs Gandhi elected.”The figures were emphatic: 355 votes for Indira Gandhi, 169 for Morarji Desai — nearly 68% of the valid votes, a two-thirds majority that even her supporters had scarcely dared hope for. What followed was as theatrical as the contest itself. Amid cheers, the two candidates shook hands and posed for press photographers and TV crews. Outside Parliament House, crowds had gathered all day; when the result became known, they cheered as Gandhi went to Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet the President S Radhakrishnan to form a new govt.Desai pledged cooperation, though with a sting: he hoped that “at least in future, an atmosphere of fearlessness” would be created in party and country. Indira Gandhi, at her first press conference, rejected any insinuation of foul play. “The insinuation that unfair play had a part in this election was unjustified,” she said, while agreeing that fearlessness in public life mattered.Reactions poured in across India. C Rajagopalachari said Gandhi might be more broad-minded, and closer to Nehru’s outlook, than Desai. Women’s groups celebrated.Abroad, the response was swift. The Soviet news agency Tass flashed the news within minutes. Lord Mountbatten called her election one that was bound to have a stabilising effect in India.As Kamaraj told MPs that day, “We have elected Mrs Gandhi to take over the burden of the Prime Ministership of the country.”Research: Rajesh Sharma