On March 22, 1977,

Janata Party won a majority, defeating the ruling Congress party.

Janata Party had emerged from a group of parties

that opposed India’s Emergency (1975-1977).

In the 1977 general elections,

it won 295 of 542 seats in total, while Congress won 154.

The elections
marked the end of India’s Emergency

and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s tenure.

and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s tenure.

Congress did not
win a single seat
in five states.

Two days later,

Morarji Desai was
sworn-in as India’s fourth prime minister.