Although it was his pioneering role that helped to unify the 234 Opposition parties, he held no office in the Janata Party. But 245 when the party floundered at the Centre over petty squabbles-- 255 when no alternative to the Congress(I) was in sight—he was 266 distressed by the turn of events. When the party, of which he 278 was the architect, failed to deliver and survive its term in office, 290 he chose to keep away from political controversies and regretted 300 the betrayal of the people by the Janata Party leaders. But as one 313 committed to the freedom of man, he did not lose hope even in 326 the dying hours of his life. He had immense faith in the future c, 340 the country. J42 JP grew up in an era when great men of vision dominated 354 the landscape in social, political, and intellectual arenas. His 363 political ideas evolved from Marxism to Gandhism over the 372 decades but he was more of an activist than a political theoretician. 383 He was disillusioned by the failure of the Sarvodaya movement 393 though he put his full energy into it and his idea of total revolution 407 to challenge authoritarian regimes found unprecedented mass 414 support. He had immense faith in the pluralist orientation of Indian 425 culture. His political ideas often confounded his supporters and 434 opponents alike, but his integrity and commitment to the cause 444 of democracy overwhelmed all. Impressed with his service to 453 the democratic society and rural masses, one of his admirers in 464 British Parliament even nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize 474 in 1979. 476 The Navnirvan movement launched in Gujarat and Bihar 484 under his blessings marked a turning point in the NO- 494 Independence decades as JP truly became the symbol of defiance 503 to authoritarian regimes, inviting the wrath of the then Prime 513 Minister, Indira Gandhi. His detention led to nationwide protests 522 and eventually the people expressed their ire at the hustings. The 533 Lot(' Nayak's struggles against corruption and mismanagement 540 are still relevant. JP relentlessly fought against the degeneration 549 of moral and political values in public life.