Question

In what sense was the Congress an ideological coalition? Mention the
various ideological currents present within the Congress.

Answer 1

Explanation:

The Congress was an ideological coalition for the following reasons:

(i) It accommodated revolutionary and pacifist, conservative and radical, extremist and moderate and the right left and all shades of the centre.

(ii) The Congress was a ‘platform’ for numerous groups, interests and even political parties to take part in the national movement.

(iii) In pre–Independence days, many organisations and parties with their own constitution and organisational structure were allowed to exist within the Congress. 

It was Congress socialist Party. Despite differences regarding the methods, specific programmes and policies the party managed to contain if not resolve differences and build a consensus.

Answer 2

Answer:

Congress was born as a party whose members belonged to English speaking upper class. The civil disobedience movement furthered its expansion and people from various social strata such as middle class, workers etc joined it. Thus, it was an amalgam of various ideologies. Congress rose to power as an independence movement that was joined by people from diverse ideologies like conservatives, extremes, moderates and others.  

Ideological currents: Before independence, parties that had their own constitutions became a part of Congress. Many of them, like Congress Socialist Party however separated from it later.