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decree. She lifted the state of emergency in March 1977 and promptly suf-
fered electoral defeat, forcing her to relinquish the post of prime minister.
In 1980 she was back in power after the Congress Party won the parlia-
mentary election. Her life ended violently in 1984 when she was assassi-
nated by a Sikh member of her own bodyguard. The Sikhs are a religious
and cultural group that suffered under her policies.
Once more turning to the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, the Congress Party
chose Indira's son Rajiv as leader. Congress won, and he became prime
minister, serving from 1984 to 1989. He proved to be more moderate and
democratic. Rajiv had not been interested in politics as a young man, and
had a career as a commercial airline pilot. His brother Sanjay had been the
heir apparent, and had served in government under his mother, but died
in the crash of a private airplane in 1980. The Congress Party had lost the
election in 1989, but the opposition was not strong and had to call a new
election in 1991. Once more violence struck as Rajiv was assassinated while
campaigning. Congress won the election and formed the government that
lasted until 1996. The following years were difficult for the Congress Party,
with disputed leadership and instances of bribery. The party abandoned
its support for socialism and favored free-market policies. Once more the
party turned to its dynasty, naming as its head Sonia Gandhi, the widow
of Rajiv. It returned to power in the 2004 election. Because Sonia was an
Italian woman whom Rajiv had married while a young airline pilot, she
was denied holding the position of prime minister, although she continued
to head the party. Manmohan Singh was chosen instead. In 2009 he won
again, leading a coalition called the United Progressive Alliance domi-
nated by the Congress Party. About 714 million citizens voted, making it
the biggest election in the world.
India has many other parties. Those operating at the national level
include the Bhartiya Janata Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Samajwadi
Party, and two Communist parties. Additionally, many parties operate
only at the state or local level. They often form partnerships with other
parties to win seats in parliament. In the national parliament coalitions,
minor parties have won control of parliament a few times. Although the
Congress Party has declined, it is still the biggest.
The Indian civil service is famous worldwide for its expertise and effi-
ciency. The British organized it in the early 19th century, and it served as
a model for the British civil service at home and for the United States. Of
course, during the colonial period, Englishmen held the top positions. After
independence the new Indian government continued it. The elite of only
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