How did the dominance of Congress Party in the first three general elections help in establishing a democratic set-up in India?

The first general election was the first big test of democracy in a poor and illiterate country. Till then democracy had existed only in the prosperous countries. By that time many countries in Europe had not given voting rights to all women. In this context India’s experiment with universal adult franchise appeared very bold and risky. India’s general election of 1952 became a landmark in the history of democracy all over the world. It was no longer possible to argue that domocratise elections could not be held on conditions of poverty or lack of education. It proved that democracy could be practized anywhere in the world. The next two general elections strengthened democratic set-up in India.

Dominance of Congress Party in India was different from the dominance of one party in countries like Cuba, China & Mexico.

(i) Even being a dominant party, free, fair and regular elections were held and voice of the opposition was heard with respect. 

(ii) Even in the first general elections, there was government of CPI in Kerela which was not destabilized by the Congress Party in power at the Centre. 

(iii) Multi-party system was established as many new political parties emerged. 

(iv) Congress worked as social and ideological coalition, also known as a rainbow like coalition, representing India’s diversity, which helped in establishing democratic set-up.