Archive · 2 Jan 2026
Indira Gandhi Splits Congress, Forms Congress (I)
In 1978, Indira Gandhi decided to leave the Congress party because she had disagreements with its leaders.
She started a new party called Congress (I), which stood for Congress (Indira).
She believed this new party would support the poor and have a strong central government.
Even though the Congress party had lost the elections in 1977, Indira Gandhi was still popular with many people.
She traveled around the country, giving speeches and winning support.
The new party did well in some elections and eventually won the national elections in 1980, bringing Indira Gandhi back to power.
Over time, Congress (I) became known simply as the Indian National Congress.
Indira Gandhi split from the Congress party on January 2, 1978, to form Congress (I).
The split was due to growing differences with Congress leadership under Devkant Barua and Brahmananda Reddy.
Congress (I) was positioned as the true inheritor of Congress ideology, focusing on social justice and the poor.
The new party gained momentum, winning several by-elections and ultimately the 1980 general elections.
Congress (I) eventually became known as the Indian National Congress, overshadowing older Congress factions.
- Who
- Indira Gandhi
- What
- Split Congress to form Congress (I)
- When
- January 2, 1978
- Where
- India
- Why
- Differences with Congress leadership and to regain political relevance
- Date
- January 2, 1978
- Key Figures
- Indira Gandhi, Devkant Barua, Brahmananda Reddy
- New Party
- Congress (I) or Congress (Indira)
- Reason for Split
- Differences with Congress leadership
- Electoral Success
- Congress (I) won 1980 general elections