1971- 1977 Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha election results spanning from 1971 to 1977 were a pivotal period in Indian politics, marked by significant changes, both in terms of the political landscape and the socio-economic fabric of the country. The elections took place against the backdrop of the tumultuous early 1970s, characterized by both domestic and international challenges.
Situation Before the Election: Before the 1971 Lok Sabha elections, India was grappling with a variety of issues. The incumbent government was led by the Indian National Congress (INC) under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The country was still recovering from the aftermath of the 1965 India-Pakistan war and dealing with economic disparities, regional tensions, and rising food prices. Additionally, there was growing dissent and demands for greater regional autonomy, especially in states like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Major Agenda of the Election: The major agenda of the 1971 Lok Sabha elections revolved around addressing economic inequalities, alleviating poverty, and ensuring social justice. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s campaign also focused on her leadership during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. She aimed to leverage this achievement for electoral gains and project herself as a strong and capable leader.
Number of Members: The total number of members in the Lok Sabha during this period was 518.
Winning Party and Opposition Party: The Indian National Congress, led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, emerged as the winner of the 1971 Lok Sabha elections. The INC secured a landslide victory, winning 352 out of the 518 seats. This resounding victory solidified Indira Gandhi’s position as a powerful leader. The main opposition party, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (a precursor to the Bharatiya Janata Party), and other regional parties were unable to garner significant support in comparison to the INC.
Election Analysis: The 1971 Lok Sabha elections are considered a turning point in Indian political history. Indira Gandhi’s INC secured an overwhelming mandate, largely due to her leadership during the Indo-Pakistan war and her promise of tackling poverty and inequality. However, the election also set the stage for future political developments.During her second term, Indira Gandhi faced criticism for alleged authoritarian tendencies and misuse of power, which eventually led to the declaration of a state of emergency in 1975. This period saw a centralization of power, curtailment of civil liberties, and a clampdown on opposition voices.
Results of Political Parties
| Party Name | Seats Won |
|---|
| Indian National Congress (R) (INC(R)) | 360 |
| Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) | 25 |
| Communist Party of India (CPI) | 23 |
| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) | 23 |
| Jan Sangh (Jan Sangh) | 22 |
| Indian National Congress (O) (INC(O)) | 16 |
| Independent (Ind.) | 14 |
| Telangana Praja Samithi (TPS) | 10 |
| Swatantra Party (Swatantra Party) | 8 |
| Revolutionary Socialist Party (India) (RSP) | 3 |
| Samyukta Socialist Party (SSCP) | 3 |
| Kerala Congress (KEC) | 3 |
| All India Forward Bloc(AIFB) | 2 |
| Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) | 2 |
| Praja Socialist Party (PSP) | 2 |
| Akali Dal (Akali Dal) | 1 |
| All Party Hill Leaders Conference (APHLC) | 1 |
| Bangla Congress (Bangla Congress) | 1 |
| Bharatiya Kranti Dal (BKD) | 1 |
| Jharkhand Party (Jharkhand) | 1 |
| Republican Party of India (RPI) | 1 |
| United Goans Party (United Goans) | 1 |
| Utkal Congress (Utkal Congress) | 1 |
| Vishal Haryana Party (VHP) | 1 |
| Total | 525 |
|---|
