MADHYA PRADESH'S POLITICAL ODYSSEY: A HISTORY IN MAKING

Up until 1972, the Congress party received a clear mandate. From 1952 till now, 15 legislative assembly elections have taken place. Congress party ruled for 40 years in the span of 71 years, while BJP remained in power for around 21 years. The Janata Party held power for three years between 1977 and 1980.

- MANOJ MANU

In the elections before 1952, Congress came to power in a 232-member assembly. Congress won 194 seats, acquiring 49% of the votes, while the opposition Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party (KMPP) received only 5% votes. KMPP secured 8 seats, and the Socialist Party obtained 2 seats.

In the 1962 legislative assembly elections, after the delimitation, the seats increased to 288. Congress again won unilaterally, securing 142 seats while Jan Sangh got 41 seats, and the opposition Praja Socialist Party got 33 seats.

The 1967 election in a 296-member assembly saw Congress securing 167 seats, and Jan Sangh won 78 seats.

In 1972 as well, Congress received an absolute majority.