India witnessed a historic political shift in 1977 when Morarji Desai became the first non-Congress Prime Minister of the country. This marked the end of the Congress Party’s long dominance since independence. Morarji Desai, a seasoned leader and a staunch Gandhian, rose to power after the people of India decisively voted against Indira Gandhi's Congress government.  

Morarji Desai started his career in the British civil services in Gujarat. However, inspired by Gandhi's call for independence, he left his government job in 1930 to join the Indian freedom struggle. He became a part of the Indian National Congress, serving in various roles. Known for his discipline and strong administrative skills, he rose to become the Chief Minister of Bombay State in 1952.  

After independence, Desai played key roles in national politics, holding portfolios like Finance and Home Minister in the Nehru and Shastri governments. However, his ambition to become Prime Minister faced setbacks twice — in 1966 and 1971, when Indira Gandhi was chosen over him by the Congress Party.  

The backdrop of this political change was the Emergency (1975-1977) imposed by Indira Gandhi, during which democratic rights were curtailed, opposition leaders were jailed, and press freedom was stifled. The harsh measures taken during the Emergency deeply angered the citizens, leading to widespread protests. As a response, opposition parties united under the Janata Party, forming a coalition to challenge Congress. Morarji Desai, known for his integrity and long experience in public life, emerged as the leader of this coalition.  

Morarji Desai campaigned on the promise of restoring democracy and protecting civil rights. His leadership symbolized a break from Congress's centralizing tendencies. The Janata Party swept the elections, and Desai took office as Prime Minister in 1977.  

As Prime Minister, Desai focused on:  

1. Restoring democracy by undoing the authoritarian measures imposed during the Emergency.

2. Decentralizing power to strengthen states. 

3. Promoting self-reliance in the economy by reducing dependence on foreign aid. 

 
4. Improving relations with neighbors like Pakistan and China.  

Despite his efforts, his tenure faced challenges. Internal conflicts within the Janata Party, economic troubles like inflation, and rising unemployment weakened his government.  

 
In 1979, internal rifts in the Janata Party intensified when key leaders like Charan Singh revolted against Desai's leadership. Lacking a majority in Parliament, Desai resigned from his post.

Though his time in office was brief, Desai's legacy lies in his efforts to restore democratic institutions, ensuring that no leader or party could bypass the Constitution. He proved that Indian democracy was resilient enough to correct its course.