1977 Indian general election: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|General election in India}}
{{short description|none}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox election
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1977 Indian general election
| outgoing_members = List of members of the 5th Lok Sabha
| elected_members = List of members of the 6th Lok Sabha
| country = India
| country = India
| type = parliamentary
| type = parliamentary
Line 11: Line 12:
| next_year = 1980
| next_year = 1980
| election_date = 16–20 March 1977<ref name=IPU>[http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/INDIA_1977_E.PDF India] Inter-Parliamentary Union</ref>
| election_date = 16–20 March 1977<ref name=IPU>[http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/INDIA_1977_E.PDF India] Inter-Parliamentary Union</ref>
| seats_for_election = 542 of the 544 seats in the [[Lok Sabha]]
| seats_for_election = 542 of the 544 seats in the [[Lok Sabha]]{{efn|name=seats|Two seats were reserved for [[Anglo-Indian reserved seats in the Lok Sabha|Anglo-Indians]] and filled by presidential nomination}}
| majority_seats = 272
| majority_seats = 272
| turnout = 60.49%
| registered = 321,174,327
| image_size = 150x150px
| turnout = 60.49% ({{increase}} 5.22[[Percentage point|pp]])
 
| image1 = {{CSS image crop|Image=Morarji Desai During his visit to the United States of America (cropped).jpg|bSize=130|cWidth=100|cHeight=130|oLeft=15|oTop=5}}
| image1 =Morarji_Desai_portrait.jpg
| leader1 = [[Morarji Desai]]
| leader1 = [[Morarji Desai]]
| party1 = Janata Party
| party1 = [[Janata Party|JP]]{{efn|The Janata Party was a broad electoral alliance whose constituent parties maintained their organization. Desai was a member, and the leader of, the [[Indian National Congress (Organisation)|INC(O)]]}}
| leaders_seat1 = [[Surat (Lok Sabha constituency)|Surat]]
| last_election1 = 20.33%, 51 seats<!--Parties that merged to form JP-->
| seats1 = '''295'''
| seats1 = '''298'''
| seat_change1 = {{increase}} 260
| seat_change1 = {{increase}} 212
| popular_vote1= '''78,062,828'''
| popular_vote1 = '''81,386,148'''
| percentage1 = '''41.32%'''
| percentage1 = '''43.04%'''
| swing1 = {{increase}} 25.57pp
| swing1 = {{increase}} 20.99[[Percentage point|pp]]
 
| image2 = {{CSS image crop|Image=Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the US enhanced.jpg|bSize=120|cWidth=100|cHeight=130|oLeft=15|oTop=3}}
| image2 = Face detail, Premier Indira Gandhi (Congrespartij), Bestanddeelnr 929-0811 (cropped).jpg
| leader2 = [[Indira Gandhi]]
| leader2 = [[Indira Gandhi]]
| leaders_seat2 = [[Rae Bareli (Lok Sabha constituency)|Rae Bareli]]<br />''(lost)''
| party2 = Indian National Congress (R)
| party2 = Indian National Congress
| last_election2 = 43.68%, 352 seats
| seats2 = 154
| seats2 = 154
| seat_change2 = {{decrease}} 198
| seat_change2 = {{decrease}} 198
| popular_vote2 = 65,211,589
| popular_vote2 = 65,211,589
| percentage2 = 34.52%
| percentage2 = 34.52%
| swing2 = {{decrease}} 9.16pp
| swing2 = {{decrease}} 9.16[[Percentage point|pp]]
 
| image3 = {{CSS image crop|Image=Sundaraiah-Puchalapalli.jpg|bSize=120|cWidth=100|cHeight=130|oLeft=5|oTop=0}}
| leader3 = [[Puchalapalli Sundarayya]]
| party3 = Communist Party of India (Marxist)
| last_election3 = 5.12%, 25 seats
| seats3 = 22
| seat_change3 = {{decrease}} 3
| popular_vote3 = 8,113,659
| percentage3 = 4.29%
| swing3 = {{decrease}} 0.83[[Percentage point|pp]]
| map_image = Wahlergebnisse Indien 1977.svg
| map_caption = Results by constituency
| title = [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]]
| title = [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]]
| posttitle = Prime Minister after election
| posttitle = Prime Minister after election
| before_election = [[Indira Gandhi]]
| before_election = [[Indira Gandhi]]
| before_party = Indian National Congress  
| before_party = Indian National Congress (R)
| after_election = [[Morarji Desai]]
| after_election = [[Morarji Desai]]
| after_party = Janata Party
| after_party = Janata Party
| map_image = [[File:Wahlergebnisse Indien 1977.svg|300px|lang=en]]
| alliance1 = [[Janata Party|JP]]+[[List of communist parties in India|LF]]
| alliance2 = [[Indian National Congress|INC (R)+]]
| alliance3 = [[Janata Party|JP]]+[[List of communist parties in India|LF]]
}}
}}


'''General elections''' were held in [[India]] between 16 and 20 March 1977 to elect the members of the [[6th Lok Sabha]]. The elections took place during [[The Emergency (India)|the Emergency period]], which expired on 21 March 1977, shortly before the final results were announced.<ref name=IPU/>
General elections were held in [[India]] between 16 and 20 March 1977 to elect the members of the [[6th Lok Sabha|sixth]] [[Lok Sabha]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=INDIA |url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/india_1977_e.pdf|website=Inter-Parliamentary Union}}</ref> The elections took place during [[The Emergency (India)|the Emergency period]], which expired on 21 March 1977, shortly before the final results were announced.<ref name=IPU/>  


The election resulted in a heavy defeat for the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC), with the incumbent [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] and INC party leader [[Indira Gandhi]] losing her seat in [[Rae Bareli (Lok Sabha constituency)|Rae Bareli]]. The call for restoration of democracy by revoking the Emergency is considered to be a major reason for the sweeping victory for the opposition [[Janata Party|Janata Alliance]],<ref>M.R. Masani, "India's Second Revolution," ''Asian Affairs'' (1977) 5#1 pp 19–38.</ref> whose leader [[Morarji Desai]] was sworn in as the fourth Prime Minister of India on 24 March. At 81, Desai became the oldest man to be elected Prime Minister of India.
The elections resulted in a heavy defeat for the [[Indian National Congress (R)]], with the incumbent [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] and INC(R) party leader [[Indira Gandhi]] losing her seat in [[Rae Bareli (Lok Sabha constituency)|Rae Bareli]], while her son [[Sanjay Gandhi|Sanjay]] lost his seat in [[Amethi]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2004-03-28 |title=How Amethi became a Gandhi bastion |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/how-amethi-became-a-gandhi-bastion/articleshow/586957.cms |access-date=2023-07-23 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> An attempt at an auto-coup failed and [[Morarji Desai]] of the [[Janata Party]] took office as the first non-Congress Prime Minister on 24 March. The call for restoration of democracy by revoking the Emergency is considered to be a major reason for the sweeping victory for the opposition [[Janata Party|Janata Alliance]],<ref>M.R. Masani, "India's Second Revolution," ''Asian Affairs'' (1977) 5#1 pp 19–38.</ref> At 81, Desai became the oldest man to be elected Prime Minister of India.


==Background==
==Background==
This sixth general elections, which were conducted for 542 seats in single-member constituencies, represented 27 Indian states and union territories.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1977/Vol_I_LS_77.pdf |title=General Election of India 1977, 6th Lok Sabha |publisher=Election Commission of India |access-date=13 January 2010 |page=6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718185438/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1977/Vol_I_LS_77.pdf |archive-date=18 July 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> These 542 constituencies remained same until [[2004 Indian general elections]] for the [[14th Lok Sabha]].
A total of 542 members were elected from single-member constituencies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1977/Vol_I_LS_77.pdf |title=General Election of India 1977, 6th Lok Sabha |publisher=Election Commission of India |access-date=13 January 2010 |page=6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718185438/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1977/Vol_I_LS_77.pdf |archive-date=18 July 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> These 542 constituencies remained same until [[2004 Indian general elections]] for the [[14th Lok Sabha]].
 
The Emergency declared by the Indira Gandhi led Congress(R) government was the core issue in the 1977 elections. Civil liberties were suspended during the national emergency from 25 June 1975 to 21 March 1977 and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi assumed vast powers.
 
Gandhi had become unpopular for her decision and paid for it during the elections. On 18 January, Gandhi called for fresh elections and released some [[political prisoner]]s. Many remained in prison until she was ousted from office and a new prime minister took over.<ref>[https://www.freepressjournal.in/webspecial/from-fpj-archives-emergency-impact-indira-gandhi-loses-elections-india-gets-first-non-gandhi-pm From FPJ Archives: Emergency impact - Indira Gandhi loses elections, India gets first non-Gandhi PM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903165839/https://www.freepressjournal.in/webspecial/from-fpj-archives-emergency-impact-indira-gandhi-loses-elections-india-gets-first-non-gandhi-pm |date=3 September 2019 }} The Free Press Journal, 25 June 2019</ref> On 20 January, four opposition parties, the [[Indian National Congress (Organisation)]], the [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]], the [[Bharatiya Lok Dal]] and the [[Praja Socialist Party]], decided to fight the elections under a single banner called the Janata alliance.<ref name=IPU/> The alliance used the symbol allocated to Bhartiya Lok Dal as their symbol on the ballot papers.


The Emergency declared by the Indira Gandhi led Congress government was the core issue in the 1977 elections. Civil liberties were suspended during the national emergency from 25 June 1975 to 21 March 1977 and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi assumed vast powers.
The Janata Alliance reminded voters of the excesses and human rights violations during the Emergency, like compulsory [[Sterilization (medicine)|sterilisation]] and imprisonment of political leaders. The Janata campaign said the elections would decide whether India would have "democracy or dictatorship."<ref>{{Cite web|title=INKredible India: The story of 1977 Lok Sabha election - All you need to know|url=https://zeenews.india.com/lok-sabha-general-elections-2019/inkredible-india-the-story-of-1977-lok-sabha-election-all-you-need-to-know-2187368.html|access-date=6 December 2020|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227102542/https://zeenews.india.com/lok-sabha-general-elections-2019/inkredible-india-the-story-of-1977-lok-sabha-election-all-you-need-to-know-2187368.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Congress(R) looked jittery. Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Babu [[Jagjivan Ram]] quit the party in the first week of February; other notable Congress(R) stalwarts who crossed the floor with Jagjivan Ram before the election were [[Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna]] and [[Nandini Satpathy]].


Gandhi had become extremely unpopular for her decision and paid for it during the elections. On 18 January, Gandhi called for fresh elections and released some [[political prisoner]]s. Many remained in prison until she was ousted from office and a new prime minister took over.<ref>[https://www.freepressjournal.in/webspecial/from-fpj-archives-emergency-impact-indira-gandhi-loses-elections-india-gets-first-non-gandhi-pm From FPJ Archives: Emergency impact - Indira Gandhi loses elections, India gets first non-Gandhi PM] The Free Press Journal, 25 June 2019</ref> On 20 January, four opposition parties, the [[Indian National Congress (Organisation)]], the [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]], the [[Bharatiya Lok Dal]] and the [[Praja Socialist Party]], decided to fight the elections under a single banner called the Janata alliance.<ref name=IPU/> The alliance used the symbol allocated to Bhartiya Lok Dal as their symbol on the ballot papers.
==Results==
The elections in India's largest state [[Uttar Pradesh]], historically a Congress(R) stronghold, turned against Gandhi. Dhanagare says the structural reasons included the emergence of a strong and united opposition, disunity and weariness within the Congress(R), an effective opposition and the failure of Gandhi in controlling the mass media, which was under censorship during the Emergency. The structural factors allowed voters to express their grievances, notably their resentment of the emergency and its authoritarian and repressive policies. One grievance often mentioned was the 'Nasbandi' (vasectomy) campaign in rural areas. The middle class also emphasised on the curbing of freedom of speech throughout the country.<ref>D.N. Dhanagare, "Sixth Lok Sabha Election in Uttar Pradesh – 1977: The End of the Congress Hegemony," ''Political Science Review'' (1979) 18#1 pp 28–51</ref>


The Janata Alliance reminded voters of the excesses and human rights violations during the Emergency, like compulsory [[Sterilization (medicine)|sterilisation]] and imprisonment of political leaders. The Janata campaign said the elections would decide whether India would have "democracy or dictatorship."<ref>{{Cite web|title=INKredible India: The story of 1977 Lok Sabha election - All you need to know|url=https://zeenews.india.com/lok-sabha-general-elections-2019/inkredible-india-the-story-of-1977-lok-sabha-election-all-you-need-to-know-2187368.html}}</ref> The Congress looked jittery. Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Babu [[Jagjivan Ram]] quit the party in the first week of February; other notable Congress stalwarts who crossed the floor with Jagjivan Ram before the election were [[Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna]] and [[Nandini Satpathy]].
Meanwhile, Congress(R) hit an all-time low in [[West Bengal]], according to the Gangulys, because of the state-sponsored [[Anti-communist mass killings|anti-Communist violence]] against the cadres of [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]] & [[Naxalism|Naxalites]] by the government of [[Siddhartha Shankar Ray]], [[1972 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|whose legitimacy was questionable]], poor discipline and factionalism among Congress(R) activists as well as numerous defections that weakened the party. Opponents emphasised the issues of corruption within the Congress(R) and appealed to a deep desire by the voters for fresh leadership.<ref>Mira Ganguly and Bangendu Ganguly, "Lok Sabha Election, 1977: The West Bengal Scene," ''Political Science Review'' (1979) 18#3 pp 28–53
</ref> The Congress(R), however, did well in southern states of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]] and [[Andhra Pradesh]]. The results were mixed in the western states of [[Maharashtra]] and [[Gujarat]], although the Janata alliance won all the seats in [[Mumbai]].


== Results ==
{{Election results
{{Election results
|image=[[File:Lok Sabha Zusammensetzung 1977.svg|350px]]
|image=[[File:Lok Sabha Zusammensetzung 1977.svg|350px]]
|party1=[[Janata Party]]|votes1=78062828|seats1=295|sc1=+260
|party1=[[Janata Party]]|votes1=78062828|seats1=295|sc1=+209
|party2=[[Indian National Congress]]|votes2=65211589|seats2=154|sc2=–198
|party2=[[Indian National Congress (R)]]|votes2=65211589|seats2=154|sc2=–198
|party3=[[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]]|votes3=8113659|seats3=22|sc3=–3
|party3=[[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]]|votes3=8113659|seats3=22|sc3=–3
|party4=[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]|votes4=5480378|seats4=18|sc4=New
|party4=[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]|votes4=5480378|seats4=18|sc4=New
Line 103: Line 119:
}}
}}


===Voter behaviour===
===Results by state===
The elections in India's largest state [[Uttar Pradesh]], historically a Congress stronghold, turned against Gandhi. Dhanagare says the structural reasons included the emergence of a strong and united opposition, disunity and weariness within the Congress, an effective opposition and the failure of Gandhi in controlling the mass media, which was under censorship during the Emergency. The structural factors allowed voters to express their grievances, notably their resentment of the emergency and its authoritarian and repressive policies. One grievance often mentioned was the 'Nasbandi' (vasectomy) campaign in rural areas. The middle class also emphasised on the curbing of freedom of speech throughout the country.<ref>D.N. Dhanagare, "Sixth Lok Sabha Election in Uttar Pradesh – 1977: The End of the Congress Hegemony," ''Political Science Review'' (1979) 18#1 pp 28–51</ref>
{|class="wikitable defaultcenter col1left" style="font-size: 100%"
!rowspan="2"|[[States and union territories of India|State/Union Territory]]
!rowspan="2"|Seats
|bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Party}}"|
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}"|
|bgcolor="{{party color|Left Front}}"|
|bgcolor="{{party color|Other}}"|
|-
![[Janata Party|JNP]]
![[Indian National Congress (R)|INC]]
![[Left Front (West Bengal)|LFT]]
!OTH
|-
![[1977 Indian general election in Andhra Pradesh|Andhra Pradesh]]
!42
|1
|style="background:{{Party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}; color:black;"|41
|0
|0
|-
![[Arunachal Pradesh]]
!2
|0
|1
|0
|1
|-
![[Assam]]
!14
|3
|style="background:{{Party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}; color:black;"|10
|0
|1
|-
![[1977 Indian general election in Bihar|Bihar]]
!54
|style="background:{{Party color|Janata Party}}; color:white;"|52
|0
|0
|2
|-
![[Goa]] [[Daman & Diu]]
!2
|0
|1
|0
|1
|-
![[1977 Indian general election in Gujarat|Gujarat]]
!26
|style="background:{{Party color|Janata Party}}; color:white;"|16
|10
|0
|0
|-
![[Haryana]]
!10
|style="background:{{Party color|Janata Party}}; color:white;"|10
|0
|0
|0
|-
![[Himachal Pradesh]]
!4
|style="background:{{Party color|Janata Party}}; color:white;"|4
|0
|0
|0
|-
![[1977 Indian general election in Jammu and Kashmir|Jammu & Kashmir]]
!6
|0
|3
|0
|3
|-
![[Karnataka]]
!28
|2
|style="background:{{Party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}; color:black;"|26
|0
|0
|-
![[1977 Indian general election in Kerala|Kerala]]
!20
|0
|style="background:{{Party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}; color:black;"|11
|5
|4
|-
![[Madhya Pradesh]]
!40
|style="background:{{Party color|Janata Party}}; color:white;"|37
|1
|0
|2
|-
![[Maharashtra]]
!48
|19
|style="background:{{Party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}; color:black;"|20
|3
|6
|-
![[Manipur]]
!2
|0
|style="background:{{Party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}; color:black;"|2
|0
|0
|-
![[Meghalaya]]
!2
|0
|1
|0
|1
|-
![[Mizoram]]
!1
|0
|0
|0
|style="background:{{Party color|Other}}; color:black;"|1
|-
![[Nagaland]]
!1
|0
|0
|0
|style="background:{{Party color|Other}}; color:black;"|1
|-
![[Orissa]]
!21
|style="background:{{Party color|Janata Party}}; color:white;"|15
|4
|1
|1
|-
![[Punjab]]
!13
|3
|0
|1
|style="background:{{Party color|Other}}; color:black;"|9
|-
![[Rajasthan]]
!25
|style="background:{{Party color|Janata Party}}; color:white;"|24
|1
|0
|0
|-
![[Sikkim]]
!1
|0
|style="background:{{Party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}; color:black;"|1
|0
|0
|-
![[1977 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu|Tamil Nadu]]
!39
|0
|14
|3
|style="background:{{Party color|Other}}; color:black;"|22
|-
![[Tripura]]
!2
|1
|1
|0
|0
|-
![[Uttar Pradesh]]
!85
|style="background:{{Party color|Janata Party}}; color:white;"|85
|0
|0
|0
|-
![[West Bengal]]
!42
|15
|3
|style="background:{{Party color|Left Front}}; color:white;"|23
|1
|-
![[Andaman & Nicobar Islands]]
!1
|0
|style="background:{{Party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}; color:black;"|1
|0
|0
|-
![[Chandigarh]]
!1
|style="background:{{Party color|Janata Party}}; color:white;"|1
|0
|0
|0
|-
![[Dadra & Nagar Haveli]]
!1
|0
|style="background:{{Party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}; color:black;"|1
|0
|0
|-
![[National Capital Territory of Delhi]]
!7
|style="background:{{Party color|Janata Party}}; color:white;"|7
|0
|0
|0
|-
![[Lakshadweep]]
!1
|0
|style="background:{{Party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}; color:black;"|1
|0
|0
|-
![[Pondicherry]]
!1
|0
|0
|0
|style="background:{{Party color|Other}}; color:black;"|1
|-
!Total
!542
|style="background:{{Party color|Janata Party}}; color:white;"|'''295'''
|style="background:{{Party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}; color:black;"|'''154'''
|style="background:{{Party color|Left Front}}; color:white;"|'''36'''
|style="background:{{Party color|Other}}; color:black;"|'''57'''
|}
 
'''Notes:''' 
* The results for presented above are '''party-wise''', not '''alliance-wise'''. 
* '''Party abbreviations:''' 
** '''JNP''' – [[Janata Party]]
** '''INC(R)''' – [[Indian National Congress (R)]]
** '''LFT''' – [[Left Front (West Bengal)|Left Front]] (comprising [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]], [[Communist Party of India|CPI]], [[Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)|RSP]], and [[All India Forward Bloc|AIFB]]) 
** '''OTH''' – Others (includes parties and [[Independent politician|independents]] not belonging to any of the above groups)
 
====Andhra Pradesh====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; width:97.62%;" | '''41'''
| style="background:{{party color|Janata Party}}; width:2.38%;" | '''1'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};">'''INC'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Janata Party}};">'''JNP'''</span>
|}
 
====Arunachal Pradesh====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; width:50%;" | '''1'''
| style="background:{{party color|Independent}}; width:50%;" | '''1'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};">'''INC'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Independent}};"><span style="color:#333;">'''IND'''</span></span>
|}
 
====Assam====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; width:71.43%;" | '''10'''
| style="background:{{party color|Janata Party}}; width:21.43%;" | '''3'''
| style="background:{{party color|Independent}}; width:7.14%;" | <span style="color:#333;">'''1'''</span>
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};">'''INC'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Janata Party}};">'''JNP'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Independent}};"><span style="color:#333;">'''IND'''</span></span>
|}
 
====Bihar====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Janata Party}}; width:96.30%;" | '''52'''
| style="background:{{party color|Independent}}; width:1.85%;" | <span style="color:#333;">'''1'''</span>
| style="background:{{party color|Jharkhand Party}}; width:1.85%;" | '''1'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Janata Party}};">'''JNP'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Independent}};"><span style="color:#333;">'''IND'''</span></span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Jharkhand Party}};">'''JKP'''</span>
|}
 
====Goa, Daman & Diu====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; width:50%;" | '''1'''
| style="background:{{party color|Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party}}; width:50%;" | '''1'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};">'''INC'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party}};">'''MAG'''</span>
|}
 
====Gujarat====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Janata Party}}; width:61.54%;" | '''16'''
| style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; width:38.46%;" | '''10'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Janata Party}};">'''JP'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};">'''INC'''</span>
|}
 
====Haryana====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Janata Party}}; width:100%;" | '''10'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Janata Party}};">'''JP'''</span>
|}
 
====Himachal Pradesh====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Janata Party}}; width:100%;" | '''4'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Janata Party}};">'''JP'''</span>
|}
 
====Jammu & Kashmir====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; width:50%;" | '''3'''
| style="background:{{party color|Jammu & Kashmir National Conference}}; width:33.33%;" | '''2'''
| style="background:{{party color|Independent}}; width:16.67%;" | <span style="color:#333;">'''1'''</span>
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};">'''INC'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Jammu & Kashmir National Conference}};">'''JKNC'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Independent}};"><span style="color:#333;">'''IND'''</span></span>
|}
 
====Karnataka====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; width:92.86%;" | '''26'''
| style="background:{{party color|Janata Party}}; width:7.14%;" | '''2'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};">'''INC'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Janata Party}};">'''JP'''</span>
|}
 
====Kerala====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; width:55%;" | '''11'''
| style="background:{{party color|Communist Party of India}}; width:20%;" | '''4'''
| style="background:{{party color|Indian Union Muslim League}}; width:10%;" | '''2'''
| style="background:{{party color|Kerala Congress}}; width:10%;" | '''2'''
| style="background:{{party color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}; width:5%;" | '''1'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};">'''INC'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Communist Party of India}};">'''CPI'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian Union Muslim League}};">'''IUML'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Kerala Congress}};">'''KEC'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}};">'''RSP'''</span>
|}
 
====Maharasthra====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; width:41.67%;" | '''20'''
| style="background:{{party color|Janata Party}}; width:39.58%;" | '''19'''
| style="background:{{party color|Peasants and Workers Party of India}}; width:10.42%;" | '''5'''
| style="background:{{party color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}; width:6.25%;" | '''3'''
| style="background:{{party color|Republican Party of India (Khobragade)}}; width:2.08%;" | '''1'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};">'''INC'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Janata Party}};">'''JP'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Peasants and Workers Party of India}};">'''PWPI'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}};">'''CPI(M)'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Republican Party of India (Khobragade)}};">'''RPK'''</span>
|}
 
====Manipur====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; width:100.00%;" | '''2'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};">'''INC'''</span>
|}
 
====Meghalaya====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; width:50%;" | '''1'''
| style="background:{{party color|Independent}}; width:50%;" | '''1'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};">'''INC'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Independent}};"><span style="color:#333;">'''IND'''</span></span>
|}
 
====Mizoram====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Independent}}; width:100%;" | '''1'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Independent}};"><span style="color:#333;">'''IND'''</span></span>
|}
 
====Nagaland====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; width:100%;" | '''1'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Others}};"><span style="color:#333;">'''UDF'''</span></span>
|}


Meanwhile, Congress hit an all-time low in [[West Bengal]], according to the Gangulys, because of poor discipline and factionalism among Congress activists as well as numerous defections that weakened the party. Opponents emphasised the issues of corruption within the Congress and appealed to a deep desire by the voters for fresh leadership.<ref>Mira Ganguly and Bangendu Ganguly, "Lok Sabha Election, 1977: The West Bengal Scene," ''Political Science Review'' (1979) 18#3 pp 28–53
====Orissa====
</ref> The Congress, however, did well in southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The results were mixed in the western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, although the Janata alliance won all the seats in Mumbai.
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Janata Party}}; width:71.43%;" | '''15'''
| style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; width:19.05%;" | '''4'''
| style="background:{{party color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}; width:4.76%;" | '''1'''
| style="background:{{party color|Independent}}; width:4.76%;" | <span style="color:#333;">'''1'''</span>
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Janata Party}};">'''JP'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};">'''INC'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}};">'''CPI(M)'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Independent}};"><span style="color:#333;">'''IND'''</span></span>
|}
 
====Punjab====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Shiromani Akali Dal}}; width:69.23%;" | '''9'''
| style="background:{{party color|Janata Party}}; width:23.08%;" | '''3'''
| style="background:{{party color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}; width:7.69%;" | '''1'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Shiromani Akali Dal}};">'''SAD'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Janata Party}};">'''JP'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}};">'''CPI(M)'''</span>
|}
 
====Rajasthan====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Janata Party}}; width:96%;" | '''24'''
| style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; width:4%;" | '''1'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Janata Party}};">'''JP'''</span>
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};">'''INC'''</span>
|}
 
====Sikkim====
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+
|- style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; width:100.00%;" | '''1'''
|-
| <span style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};">'''INC'''</span>
|}
 
== Lok Sabha by-elections ==
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
!#
!Year
!Constituency
!State/UT
! colspan="3" |Previous MP
!Reason
!colspan=3|Elected MP
|-
!1
|rowspan="8"|1978
|[[Nandyal Lok Sabha constituency|Nandyal]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Andhra Pradesh]]
|[[Neelam Sanjiva Reddy]]
|{{Full party name with color|Janata Party}}
| Resigned
| [[Pendekanti Venkatasubbaiah]]
|{{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
!2
|[[Warangal Lok Sabha constituency|Warangal]]
| S. B. Giri
|{{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
| Death
| G. M. Rao
|{{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
!3
|[[Samastipur Lok Sabha constituency|Samastipur]]
|[[Bihar]]
| [[Karpoori Thakur]]
|{{Full party name with color|Janata Party}}
| Resigned
| [[Ajit Kumar Mehta]]
|{{Full party name with color|Janata Party}}
|-
!4
|[[Karnal Lok Sabha constituency|Karnal]]
|[[Haryana]]
| [[B. D. Sharma]]
|{{Full party name with color|Janata Party}}
| Resigned
| M. Singh
|{{Full party name with color|Janata Party}}
|-
!5
|[[Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency|Chikmagalur]]
|[[Karnataka]]
| [[D. B. Chandregowda]]
|{{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
| Resigned
| [[Indira Gandhi]]
|{{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
!6
|[[Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency|Outer Manipur]]
|[[Manipur]]
| [[Yangmaso Shaiza]]
|{{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
| Resigned
| Kaiho
|{{Full party name with color|Janata Party}}
|-
!7
|[[Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency|Azamgarh]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Uttar Pradesh]]
|[[Ram Naresh Yadav]]
|{{Full party name with color|Janata Party}}
| Declared Void
| [[Mohsina Kidwai]]
|{{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
!8
|[[Fatehpur Lok Sabha constituency|Fatehpur]]
|[[Bashir Ahmed (Member of Parliament)|Bashir Ahmed]]
|{{Full party name with color|Janata Party}}
| Death
| [[Liaquat Husain]]
|{{Full party name with color|Janata Party}}
|-
!9
|rowspan="4"|1979
|[[Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency|Secunderabad]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Andhra Pradesh]]
| M. M. Hashim
|{{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
| Resigned
| [[P. Shiv Shankar]]
|{{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
!10
|[[Siddipet Lok Sabha constituency|Siddipet]]
| [[Gaddam Venkatswamy]]
|{{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
| Resigned
| [[Nandi Yellaiah]]
|{{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
!11
|[[Sidhi Lok Sabha constituency|Sidhi]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Madhya Pradesh]]
| Surya Narayan Singh
|{{Full party name with color|Janata Party}}
| Death
| R. N. Singh
|{{Full party name with color|Janata Party}}
|-
!12
|[[Khandwa Lok Sabha constituency|Khandwa]]
| Parmanand Govindjiwala
|{{Full party name with color|Janata Party}}
| Death
| [[Kushabhau Thakre]]
|{{Full party name with color|Janata Party}}
|-
|}
 
==Aftermath==
It was not clear if Indira would accept the election results. Although she publicly claimed she would "abide" by the results, behind the scenes, she fired Military Intelligence Head Mani Mishra in favour of loyalist Kashmiri Hardayal Kaul. The INC(R) and senior military officers held several meetings in New Delhi, raising suspicions.<ref name=CJ>{{cite book|author=Christophe Jaffrelot|title=India's First Dictatorship|year=2020|page=430}}</ref> [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]] [[T.N. Raina]] (who had only been appointed because Indira had superseded senior officers to appoint him) was invited for a discussion by Indira and Sanjay Gandhi. Sanjay reportedly told Raina "There are about 300 districts in the country. One infantry platoon is sufficient to control each district... Thus we can control India by deploying 300 platoons or about 25 infantry battalions; a mere three or four divisions. The party [the Congress], supported by paramilitary forces and the police, can deal with other administrative details." Although Indira agreed with Sanjay's plan, Raina refused to follow the plan, despite noting Sanjay's assumptions were "mathematically correct".<ref name=CJ/>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Election Commission of India]]
*[[List of members of the 6th Lok Sabha]]
*[[1974 Indian presidential election]]
*{{c|1977 Indian general election by state or union territory}}
 
==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
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{{Indian elections}}
{{Indian elections}}
{{Indian Emergency}}
{{Indian Emergency}}
{{#seo:
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|description=
}}


[[Category:1977 Indian general election| ]]
[[Category:1977 Indian general election| ]]
[[Category:March 1977 events in Asia]]
[[Category:March 1977 in Asia|India]]
[[Category:1977 elections in Asia|India]]
[[Category:1977 elections in Asia|India]]
[[Category:General elections in India]]

Latest revision as of 21:40, 28 February 2026


1977 Indian general election
← 1971 16–20 March 1977[1] 1980 →
542 of the 544 seats in the Lok Sabha[lower-alpha 1]
272 seats needed for a majority
Registered321,174,327
Turnout60.49% (Increase 5.22pp)
  First party Second party Third party
 
Morarji Desai During his visit to the United States of America (cropped).jpg
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the US enhanced.jpg
Sundaraiah-Puchalapalli.jpg
Leader Morarji Desai Indira Gandhi Puchalapalli Sundarayya
Party JP[lower-alpha 2] Indian National Congress (R) CPI (M)
Alliance JP+LF INC (R)+ JP+LF
Last election 20.33%, 51 seats 43.68%, 352 seats 5.12%, 25 seats
Seats won 298 154 22
Seat change Increase 212 Decrease 198 Decrease 3
Popular vote 81,386,148 65,211,589 8,113,659
Percentage 43.04% 34.52% 4.29%
Swing Increase 20.99pp Decrease 9.16pp Decrease 0.83pp
Results by constituency
Prime Minister before election

Indira Gandhi
Indian National Congress (R)

Prime Minister after election

Morarji Desai
JP

General elections were held in India between 16 and 20 March 1977 to elect the members of the sixth Lok Sabha.[2] The elections took place during the Emergency period, which expired on 21 March 1977, shortly before the final results were announced.[1]

The elections resulted in a heavy defeat for the Indian National Congress (R), with the incumbent Prime Minister and INC(R) party leader Indira Gandhi losing her seat in Rae Bareli, while her son Sanjay lost his seat in Amethi.[3] An attempt at an auto-coup failed and Morarji Desai of the Janata Party took office as the first non-Congress Prime Minister on 24 March. The call for restoration of democracy by revoking the Emergency is considered to be a major reason for the sweeping victory for the opposition Janata Alliance,[4] At 81, Desai became the oldest man to be elected Prime Minister of India.

Background[edit | edit source]

A total of 542 members were elected from single-member constituencies.[5] These 542 constituencies remained same until 2004 Indian general elections for the 14th Lok Sabha.

The Emergency declared by the Indira Gandhi led Congress(R) government was the core issue in the 1977 elections. Civil liberties were suspended during the national emergency from 25 June 1975 to 21 March 1977 and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi assumed vast powers.

Gandhi had become unpopular for her decision and paid for it during the elections. On 18 January, Gandhi called for fresh elections and released some political prisoners. Many remained in prison until she was ousted from office and a new prime minister took over.[6] On 20 January, four opposition parties, the Indian National Congress (Organisation), the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the Bharatiya Lok Dal and the Praja Socialist Party, decided to fight the elections under a single banner called the Janata alliance.[1] The alliance used the symbol allocated to Bhartiya Lok Dal as their symbol on the ballot papers.

The Janata Alliance reminded voters of the excesses and human rights violations during the Emergency, like compulsory sterilisation and imprisonment of political leaders. The Janata campaign said the elections would decide whether India would have "democracy or dictatorship."[7] The Congress(R) looked jittery. Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram quit the party in the first week of February; other notable Congress(R) stalwarts who crossed the floor with Jagjivan Ram before the election were Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna and Nandini Satpathy.

Results[edit | edit source]

The elections in India's largest state Uttar Pradesh, historically a Congress(R) stronghold, turned against Gandhi. Dhanagare says the structural reasons included the emergence of a strong and united opposition, disunity and weariness within the Congress(R), an effective opposition and the failure of Gandhi in controlling the mass media, which was under censorship during the Emergency. The structural factors allowed voters to express their grievances, notably their resentment of the emergency and its authoritarian and repressive policies. One grievance often mentioned was the 'Nasbandi' (vasectomy) campaign in rural areas. The middle class also emphasised on the curbing of freedom of speech throughout the country.[8]

Meanwhile, Congress(R) hit an all-time low in West Bengal, according to the Gangulys, because of the state-sponsored anti-Communist violence against the cadres of CPI(M) & Naxalites by the government of Siddhartha Shankar Ray, whose legitimacy was questionable, poor discipline and factionalism among Congress(R) activists as well as numerous defections that weakened the party. Opponents emphasised the issues of corruption within the Congress(R) and appealed to a deep desire by the voters for fresh leadership.[9] The Congress(R), however, did well in southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The results were mixed in the western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, although the Janata alliance won all the seats in Mumbai.

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Janata Party78,062,82841.32295+209
Indian National Congress (R)65,211,58934.52154–198
Communist Party of India (Marxist)8,113,6594.2922–3
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam5,480,3782.9018New
Communist Party of India5,322,0882.827–16
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam3,323,3201.762–21
Indian National Congress (Organisation)3,252,2171.723–13
Shiromani Akali Dal2,373,3311.269+8
Peasants and Workers Party of India1,030,2320.555+5
Republican Party of India (Khobragade)956,0720.512+2
Revolutionary Socialist Party851,1640.454+1
All India Forward Bloc633,6440.343+1
Indian Union Muslim League565,0070.3020
Kerala Congress (Pillai Group)526,9370.280New
Kerala Congress491,6740.262–1
Jammu & Kashmir National Conference483,1920.262New
Muslim League (Opposition)318,9790.170New
Socialist Unity Centre of India280,9950.1500
Vishal Haryana Party192,8670.100–1
Republican Party of India155,9720.080–1
All India Jharkhand Party126,2880.0710
United Democratic Front124,6270.071New
Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party118,7480.061+1
Jharkhand Party116,9610.060New
Manipur Peoples Party109,1300.0600
Shoshit Samaj Dal (Akhil Baharatiya)96,7530.050New
Revolutionary Communist Party of India45,0470.0200
Tripura Upajati Juba Samiti35,9160.020New
Hindu Mahasabha35,4190.0200
Bihar Prant Hul Jharkhand27,1160.0100
Akhil Bharatiya Ram Rajya Parishad26,1690.0100
All India Labour Party17,1910.010New
Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League12,5090.0100
All India Shiromani Baba Jivan Singh Mazabhi Dal5,8680.000New
Independents10,393,6175.509–5
Appointed Anglo-Indians20
Total188,917,504100.00544+23
Valid votes188,917,50497.25
Invalid/blank votes5,346,4112.75
Total votes194,263,915100.00
Registered voters/turnout321,174,32760.49
Source: ECI

Results by state[edit | edit source]

State/Union Territory Seats
JNP INC LFT OTH
Andhra Pradesh 42 1 41 0 0
Arunachal Pradesh 2 0 1 0 1
Assam 14 3 10 0 1
Bihar 54 52 0 0 2
Goa Daman & Diu 2 0 1 0 1
Gujarat 26 16 10 0 0
Haryana 10 10 0 0 0
Himachal Pradesh 4 4 0 0 0
Jammu & Kashmir 6 0 3 0 3
Karnataka 28 2 26 0 0
Kerala 20 0 11 5 4
Madhya Pradesh 40 37 1 0 2
Maharashtra 48 19 20 3 6
Manipur 2 0 2 0 0
Meghalaya 2 0 1 0 1
Mizoram 1 0 0 0 1
Nagaland 1 0 0 0 1
Orissa 21 15 4 1 1
Punjab 13 3 0 1 9
Rajasthan 25 24 1 0 0
Sikkim 1 0 1 0 0
Tamil Nadu 39 0 14 3 22
Tripura 2 1 1 0 0
Uttar Pradesh 85 85 0 0 0
West Bengal 42 15 3 23 1
Andaman & Nicobar Islands 1 0 1 0 0
Chandigarh 1 1 0 0 0
Dadra & Nagar Haveli 1 0 1 0 0
National Capital Territory of Delhi 7 7 0 0 0
Lakshadweep 1 0 1 0 0
Pondicherry 1 0 0 0 1
Total 542 295 154 36 57

Notes:

Andhra Pradesh[edit | edit source]

41 1
INC JNP

Arunachal Pradesh[edit | edit source]

1 1
INC IND

Assam[edit | edit source]

10 3 1
INC JNP IND

Bihar[edit | edit source]

52 1 1
JNP IND JKP

Goa, Daman & Diu[edit | edit source]

1 1
INC MAG

Gujarat[edit | edit source]

16 10
JP INC

Haryana[edit | edit source]

10
JP

Himachal Pradesh[edit | edit source]

4
JP

Jammu & Kashmir[edit | edit source]

3 2 1
INC JKNC IND

Karnataka[edit | edit source]

26 2
INC JP

Kerala[edit | edit source]

11 4 2 2 1
INC CPI IUML KEC RSP

Maharasthra[edit | edit source]

20 19 5 3 1
INC JP PWPI CPI(M) RPK

Manipur[edit | edit source]

2
INC

Meghalaya[edit | edit source]

1 1
INC IND

Mizoram[edit | edit source]

1
IND

Nagaland[edit | edit source]

1
UDF

Orissa[edit | edit source]

15 4 1 1
JP INC CPI(M) IND

Punjab[edit | edit source]

9 3 1
SAD JP CPI(M)

Rajasthan[edit | edit source]

24 1
JP INC

Sikkim[edit | edit source]

1
INC

Lok Sabha by-elections[edit | edit source]

# Year Constituency State/UT Previous MP Reason Elected MP
1 1978 Nandyal Andhra Pradesh Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Janata Party Resigned Pendekanti Venkatasubbaiah Indian National Congress
2 Warangal S. B. Giri Indian National Congress Death G. M. Rao Indian National Congress
3 Samastipur Bihar Karpoori Thakur Janata Party Resigned Ajit Kumar Mehta Janata Party
4 Karnal Haryana B. D. Sharma Janata Party Resigned M. Singh Janata Party
5 Chikmagalur Karnataka D. B. Chandregowda Indian National Congress Resigned Indira Gandhi Indian National Congress
6 Outer Manipur Manipur Yangmaso Shaiza Indian National Congress Resigned Kaiho Janata Party
7 Azamgarh Uttar Pradesh Ram Naresh Yadav Janata Party Declared Void Mohsina Kidwai Indian National Congress
8 Fatehpur Bashir Ahmed Janata Party Death Liaquat Husain Janata Party
9 1979 Secunderabad Andhra Pradesh M. M. Hashim Indian National Congress Resigned P. Shiv Shankar Indian National Congress
10 Siddipet Gaddam Venkatswamy Indian National Congress Resigned Nandi Yellaiah Indian National Congress
11 Sidhi Madhya Pradesh Surya Narayan Singh Janata Party Death R. N. Singh Janata Party
12 Khandwa Parmanand Govindjiwala Janata Party Death Kushabhau Thakre Janata Party

Aftermath[edit | edit source]

It was not clear if Indira would accept the election results. Although she publicly claimed she would "abide" by the results, behind the scenes, she fired Military Intelligence Head Mani Mishra in favour of loyalist Kashmiri Hardayal Kaul. The INC(R) and senior military officers held several meetings in New Delhi, raising suspicions.[10] Chief of the Army Staff T.N. Raina (who had only been appointed because Indira had superseded senior officers to appoint him) was invited for a discussion by Indira and Sanjay Gandhi. Sanjay reportedly told Raina "There are about 300 districts in the country. One infantry platoon is sufficient to control each district... Thus we can control India by deploying 300 platoons or about 25 infantry battalions; a mere three or four divisions. The party [the Congress], supported by paramilitary forces and the police, can deal with other administrative details." Although Indira agreed with Sanjay's plan, Raina refused to follow the plan, despite noting Sanjay's assumptions were "mathematically correct".[10]

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Two seats were reserved for Anglo-Indians and filled by presidential nomination
  2. ↑ The Janata Party was a broad electoral alliance whose constituent parties maintained their organization. Desai was a member, and the leader of, the INC(O)

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 India Inter-Parliamentary Union
  2. ↑ "INDIA" (PDF). Inter-Parliamentary Union.
  3. ↑ "How Amethi became a Gandhi bastion". The Times of India. 28 March 2004. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  4. ↑ M.R. Masani, "India's Second Revolution," Asian Affairs (1977) 5#1 pp 19–38.
  5. ↑ "General Election of India 1977, 6th Lok Sabha" (PDF). Election Commission of India. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  6. ↑ From FPJ Archives: Emergency impact - Indira Gandhi loses elections, India gets first non-Gandhi PM Archived 3 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine The Free Press Journal, 25 June 2019
  7. ↑ "INKredible India: The story of 1977 Lok Sabha election - All you need to know". Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  8. ↑ D.N. Dhanagare, "Sixth Lok Sabha Election in Uttar Pradesh – 1977: The End of the Congress Hegemony," Political Science Review (1979) 18#1 pp 28–51
  9. ↑ Mira Ganguly and Bangendu Ganguly, "Lok Sabha Election, 1977: The West Bengal Scene," Political Science Review (1979) 18#3 pp 28–53
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Christophe Jaffrelot (2020). India's First Dictatorship. p. 430.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

  • Guha, Ramachandra. India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy (2008) pp 491–518
  • Klieman, Aaron S. "Indira's India: Democracy and Crisis Government," Political Science Quarterly (1981) 96#2 pp. 241–259 in JSTOR
  • Roy, Ramashray; Sheth, D. L. "The 1977 Lok Sabha Election Outcome: The Salience of Changing Voter Alignments Since 1969," Political Science Review (1978), Vol. 17 Issue 3/4, pp 51–63
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