Congress (I) was defeated decisively by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(DMK) in state elections in Tamil Nadu. The DMK demonstrated effective campaigning to promote an ideology of regional identity expressed through linguistic, cultural, kin-based rhetoric.
The opposition to Congress called a general strike, which proved most effective in West Bengal, Kerala, and Karnataka. Severe drought in northwest India exacerbated opposition to the Congress (I) government. Both the opposition and Congress (I) were affected by increased Hindu-Muslim tension. Relations were worsened by the controversy over the religious site in Ayodhya (See 1984).
