Palmiro Togliatti vs V. V. Giri

Togliatti was a founding member of the Italian Communist Party (PCI) at its congress in Livorno. The party split from the Socialist Party over adherence to the Comintern. Togliatti became a central leader, guiding the party through the Fascist period and exile.

Togliatti, returning from exile in the Soviet Union, announced the 'Salerno Turn'

Togliatti was shot and seriously wounded by a right-wing student outside the Italian Parliament. The attack triggered a general strike and widespread protests, but the PCI leadership called for calm to avoid civil war. Togliatti survived and returned to lead the party.

After Khrushchev's secret speech denouncing Stalin, Togliatti developed the theory of 'polycentrism' in the communist movement. He argued for national paths to socialism independent of Moscow. This doctrine influenced the Eurocommunist movement and distanced the PCI from Soviet control.

V. V. Giri was appointed as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, serving from 1956 to 1960. He later served as Governor of Kerala and Mysore, handling administrative responsibilities in various states.

V. V. Giri was elected as the Vice President of India, serving from 1967 to 1969. He also served as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, presiding over the upper house.

President V. V. Giri supported the nationalization of 14 major commercial banks in India in 1969, a key socialist policy of the Indira Gandhi government. This aimed to increase credit access for agriculture and small industries.

V. V. Giri served as Acting President of India following the death of President Zakir Husain in May 1969. He held the office until the election of a new president.

V. V. Giri was elected as the 4th President of India in a contested election, defeating the official Congress candidate. He served from 1969 to 1974, promoting socialist policies and labor rights.