The December 1984 general election in India remains one of the most consequential electoral events in the nation’s history. The assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in October triggered a wave of national grief. Her successor, Rajiv Gandhi, swiftly consolidated power and the Congress secured a staggering 414 seats with approximately 49 % vote share.

Crucially, amidst the chaos, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) — normally ideologically opposed to Congress — reportedly decided to back Rajiv’s campaign. According to multiple secret meetings between RSS leadership and Congress insiders, this support was formalised just prior to the election. 

The motivation for the RSS pivot was two-fold: stabilising Hindu-majoritarian appeal after the Sikh-targeted violence post-Indira’s death, and positioning itself strategically for the future. In the years since, surprising given today’s acrimony between Congress and RSS, many Congress leaders including Priyank Kharge have taken stern positions against the RSS.

This episode underscores two lessons: first, ideological alliances in Indian politics are often pragmatic; second, historical episodes like 1984 still ripple into present-day debates.