Original version

BBC World Service

BBC World Service Radio

World Service Radio

Witness History

Podcasts

Factual: Life Stories

Factual: History

History as told by the people who were there

History as told by the people who were there.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Witness History: India's onion election

Documentaries

India's onion election

26/08/2022 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, India's onion election

In 1980 Indira Gandhi came into power in India, it became known as the "onion election"

In 1980, Indira Gandhi's Congress (I) party was voted into power in India. 
Inflation meant that onions were unaffordable for many Indians and became a big election issue.

In January 1980, Indira Gandhi's Congress (I) party was voted into power in India. 

Before the election, inflation meant that onions were unaffordable for many Indians and became a big election issue. 

Indira Gandhi used the issue to appeal to voters during her campaign which would help to secure her victory that year. 

Reena Stanton-Sharma speaks to Suda Pai, a former professor of political science at Jawaharlal  Nehru University.

Image: Vendor Pushing Cart With Onions On Road. Credit: Venkataramana Allam / EyeEm

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Witness History

India's onion election

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service

About BBC World Service