On 18th January Kamaraj meet Morarji Desai at his residence and informed that Indira Gandhi had the support of majority of the members and it was for Morarji to give way to Indira Gandhi to become the P.M. by avoiding the contest. But Morarji replied that the ballot box would speak on the next day. Kamaraj took leave of him.

All the members assembled at the parliament house on 19th January 1966 to elect their new leader. Kamaraj presided . 26 members did not attend. But they sent their ballots denoting their choice.

After independence it was the first contest for the Prime Ministership Nanda proposed the name of Indira Gandhi and Sanjeeva Reddy seconded the same. Morarji Desai's name was proposed by K.Hanumanthaiah and seconded by T.R.Palivel. Secret pooling took two hours. Ballots were counted. The Ballot Box spoke. Indira Gandhi won by getting 355 votes and Morarji got only 169 and was defeated.

This election proved that Kamaraj's power was in his good behavior and sharp political knowledge.