Lok sabha elections in India

The Lok Sabha Elections of March-1977 provided both the end of an era and the beginning of a new one, an event of rare history, indeed. Mrs. Indira Gandhi's 11-year rule witnes sed an end; the 30-year rule of Indian National Congress came to its abrupt culmination; the caucus style of functioning the government business came to a close. The nation made a new beginning, a new start. It voted the Congress out of power at Centre; the Janata Party was in the saddle.

The political situation in the country, following the Lok Sabha elections of March-1977 and the Assembly-elections in some states, has yet to take a clear shape. With the unity yet to greet the Janata consti tuents, the party is still in its formative stage of cohesion. So is the Congress engrossed in its introspection. The other left-democratic parties like the CPM and CPI are busy in find ing out a way for a possible understanding. The present position, in India, therefore can at best, be characterised as purely transitional.

The present study makes an attempt to analyse the Lok Sa bha elections in India as far back as possible with due reference to the elections held in March 1977. The analysis is largely based on the statistics of the Lok Sabha elections prepared by the Election Commission from time to time. In addition. the performances of the vario us political parties have been dealt with in detail.