Question

The first general election in India (1952) was a landmark event in the history of independent India. Discuss.

Answer 1

India’s first general election in 1952 became a landmark in the history of democracy worldwide.

The following were the features of the general elections of 1952:

1. The elections took place in accordance with the new constitution. The success reflected the faith of the Indian leaders in a democracy.
2. Despite having a largely illiterate population, Jawaharlal Nehru granted voting rights to all adults through the adult franchise.
3. Sukumar Sen, the first Election Commissioner of India, along with 10 lakh government officials, managed the entire election process with great care and caution.
4. Fourteen national parties, 53 regional parties, and numerous independent candidates contested for 489 Lok Sabha and 3,283 state assembly seats. 98 Lok Sabha seats and 669 Assembly seats were reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
5. Congress won with a huge majority, securing 75% of the seats in the Lok Sabha and 68.5% of the seats in the State Assembly. It had gotten an absolute majority in most states except Madras, Travancore-Cochin, Orissa, and PEPSU. It also formed a coalition with smaller parties and independent candidates and formed a government in a few states. There was no tradition of a leader of the opposition at that time.
6. The next winning party was the Communist Party of India and its allies. It won 23 seats in the Lok Sabha and 147 seats in the Assembly.
7. The Jan Sangh, Hindu Mahasabha, and Ram Rajya Parishad won only 10 seats in the Lok Sabha.
8. Besides the above-mentioned parties, former royals and big landlords performed well in certain regions of the country.
9. Despite achieving absolute power, Congress adhered to democratic norms and promoted the development of democratic ideals within the nation. The opposition leaders participated in debates and gave constructive feedback on government policies.
10. Full freedom was enjoyed by the press, the political parties, trade unions, and other organizations. They could voice their opinions.
11. Several leaders, including Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Rammanohar Lohia, J.B. Kriplani, and A.K. Gopalan, shared their valuable ideas on the functioning of the Central Government.