1977- 1979 Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha election results from 1977 to 1979 marked a significant turning point in Indian political history, characterized by a shift in power dynamics, the emergence of a new political order, and the revival of democratic values. This period was marked by a backdrop of political turmoil, economic challenges, and social unrest.
Situation Before the Election: Prior to the 1977 Lok Sabha elections, India had experienced a period of political upheaval and authoritarian rule during the Emergency, which was imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. This period was marked by the suppression of civil liberties, media censorship, and the suspension of democratic institutions. The Emergency was deeply unpopular and led to widespread protests and opposition. The economic situation was also strained due to high inflation and economic mismanagement.
Major Agenda of the Election: The major agenda of the 1977 Lok Sabha elections was the restoration of democracy, civil liberties, and the rule of law. The opposition parties, united under the banner of the Janata Party coalition, campaigned against the excesses of the Emergency and sought to bring about a change in leadership. Their agenda focused on restoring democratic norms, addressing economic issues, and upholding fundamental rights.
Number of Members: The total number of members in the Lok Sabha during this period was 542.
Winning Party and Opposition Party: The Janata Party coalition emerged victorious in the 1977 Lok Sabha elections. This coalition comprised various parties that came together with the shared goal of defeating the Indian National Congress and ending the Emergency. The Janata Party secured a substantial mandate, winning 330 out of the 542 seats. The Indian National Congress, led by Indira Gandhi, faced a resounding defeat, winning only 153 seats and being relegated to the opposition.
Election Analysis: The 1977 Lok Sabha elections were monumental in Indian politics as they marked the end of the Congress Party’s uninterrupted rule since independence. The victory of the Janata Party coalition was a triumph of democracy over authoritarianism, and it symbolized the power of people’s voices and their commitment to preserving democratic values.The election results led to the formation of the Janata Party government, with Morarji Desai becoming the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India. The new government worked to undo many of the policies implemented during the Emergency, restore civil liberties, and strengthen democratic institutions.However, the Janata Party coalition was a diverse amalgamation of parties with differing ideologies, which led to internal conflicts and challenges in governance. The coalition eventually fragmented, and Morarji Desai’s government faced its own set of challenges, leading to its downfall in 1979.
Results of Political Parties
| Party Name | Seats Won |
|---|
| Janata Party (Janata Party) | 295 |
| Indian National Congress (INC) | 154 |
| Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) | 22 |
| All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) | 18 |
| Akali Dal (Akali Dal) | 9 |
| Independent (Ind.) | 9 |
| Communist Party (CP) | 7 |
| Unattached (Unattached) | 5 |
| Peasants and Workers Party of India (PAWPI) | 5 |
| Revolutionary Socialist Party (India) (RSP) | 4 |
| All India Forward Bloc(AIFB) | 3 |
| Kerala Congress (KC) | 2 |
| Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) | 2 |
| Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKN) | 2 |
| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) | 2 |
| Jharkhand Party (Jharkhand) | 1 |
| Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) | 1 |
| TOTAL | 541 |
|---|
Lok Sabha Officers
| Position | Name | From | To | Days in Office |
|---|
| Speaker | Neelam Sanjiva Reddy | 21-Jul-1977 | 19-Jul-1984 | 2536 |
| Deputy Speaker | M. Thambidurai | 27-Feb-1978 | 10-Mar-1985 | 256 |
| Secretary-General | G.S. Dhillon | 26-Jul-1977 | 10-Jan-1980 | 897 |
| Leader of the House | Morarji Desai | 24-Mar-1977 | 28-Jul-1979 | – |
| Leader of Opposition | Y.B. Chavan | 28-Jul-1979 | 10-Jan-1980 | – |
Please note that the “Leader of the House” and “Leader of the Opposition” positions may not have had continuous officeholders during the specified period. The dates for some positions might overlap with each other due to changes in office over the years. The “Days in Office” column indicates the approximate number of days each individual held their respective position during the specified period.In conclusion, the 1977-1979 Lok Sabha election results showcased the resilience of Indian democracy and the ability of the electorate to hold leaders accountable. The victory of the opposition marked a departure from the dominance of a single party and ushered in a period of coalition politics in the country.