1984 Indian general election

The 1984 Indian general election, held in January and February, marked the 8th Lok Sabha election, occurring shortly after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. This election was characterized by a surge of support for the Indian National Congress (INC), which capitalized on a wave of sympathy for Gandhi and the turbulent political climate following her assassination. The Congress party, led by Rajiv Gandhi, won a decisive victory, securing 414 out of 514 seats, the highest number of seats in Indian electoral history. The opposition parties, including the Janata Party and the BJP, suffered substantial losses, reflecting the electorate's overwhelming support for the Congress's promise of stability and continuity in governance during a period of national grief and unrest.