Garibi Hatao, Indira Lao, Desh Bachao

Meaning: “Abolish Poverty, Bring in Indira, Rescue the Nation” This was the slogan for Indira Gandhi during her run for the 1971 elections. Using this slogan gave a fair chance to Congress to change their image from that of a landowner’s to a poor man's party. Garbi Hatao (Eradicate Poverty) was a bold move made by the Congress party that was never done before, and it gave the poor hope. However, seven years down the line, the slogan was mocked for its ineffectiveness as bureaucratic mismanagement and hurdles hindered Indira’s anti-poverty measures. This led to another famous slogan “Indira Hatao, Desh Bachao” that was coined by J.P. Narayan who led the campaign ‘Total Revolution’ against Indira Gandhi.