CHAPTER XVIII

PUBLIC LIFE AND VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

(a) Representation of the District in the State and the Union Legislature

Historical Background.- Nawashahr District came into existence on 7 November 1995. comprising Nawashahr Tahsil (Jalandhar District) and Balachaur Tahsil, (Hoshiarpur District), which was British ruled area prior to Independence. Before the mutiny of 1857, this area had no system of representation as in the rest of India. The mutiny brought home to the British Government that the lack of real touch between the ruler and the ruled was one of the principle cause of the uprising. So in order to secure a close contact between the Government and the governed through the association of Indians with the legislation, the Indian Councils Act of 1861 was passed. This Act was a great constitutional land mark which make provisions for the addition of native element to the legislative councils. However, the Act failed to satisfy the aspirations of the natives and their agitation for substantial reform in the existing councils resulted in the passage of the Councils Act of 1892. The Act was a first approach to the admission of the elective principle in the representation of Indian unofficial opinion in the Viceroy’s Legislative Council. It was for the first time that the principle of election was largely recognized under the Indian Councils Act of 1909, which was further extended under the Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935. The Government of India Act 1919, introduced representative Government in India. It created bicameral Central Legislature and Legislative Councils in the provinces. The First General Elections under the Act were held in 1920 for both the houses. This Act was replaced by the Government of India Act, 1935. A bicameral legislature was introduced in the Punjab. The Legislative Assembly had life of five years. The Punjab Legislative Council was a permanent body, one third of its members retiring every third year. The franchise, under the aforesaid two Acts, was generally based on citizenship, residence, community, religion, race, age, sex, property, taxation, etc. Special representation was provided for commerce, industry, mining, plantation, labour, land-holders, the Punjab University and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. As a result, the constituencies were of diverse nature and the qualifications for membership varied accordingly, except with respect to age.

The First General Elections under the 1935 Act were held in January 1937 and the second and last in March 1946. The second elections were delayed as the Second World War was going on.

The history of representation dates back to the year 1919 when the Government of India Act, 1919 was passed under which the universal adult franchise had limited role to play. It was based on a high property qualifications. Persons having either an annual income of not less than Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 or paying land revenue of Rs 750 to Rs 5,000 were entitled to vote for the Council of States. The franchise was also, bestowed for special personal qualifications such as past or present membership of University Senate or Legislature. The franchise of Legislative Assembly was also based on property qualification and varied from province to province. The payment of municipal taxes amounting to not less than Rs 15 to Rs 20 per annum or occupation or ownership of a house which could yield an annual rent of Rs 180 or assessment to income tax on an annual income of not less than Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 or assessment to land revenue for Rs 50 to Rs 150 per annum varying from province to province could entitle a person to be a voter for the assembly. The Government of India Act, 1919 did sow the seeds of communal representation in the country by earmarking constituencies for the Muslims and Sikhs, etc. Under the Act of 1935, the right to vote was extended considerably. The women and depressed classes were also made eligible to become voters. In this way about 15 per cent of the total population of the provinces was enfranchised. It is, however, said that the Act not only retained the separate electorate for the Muslims, but also extended them to the Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo Indians and Europeans.

General Elections held Under the Constitution of India.-The Constitution of India which came into force on 26 January 1950 has made a clean sweep of the postulate of communal electorates and has substituted in its place common electorate for all adult citizens of India. Article 326 of the Constitution provides that elections to the House of People (Lok Sabha) and to the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) of every State shall be on the basis of universal adult franchise. Every Indian Citizen, who is not less than 18 years of age, is entitled to vote, if he is not, otherwise disqualified. Till 2002, 13 general elections have been held in the country.

The phenomenal success of these elections characterized by smooth progress of voting, is a proof of the spirit of the masses to adjust themselves to a democratic way of life.

India, under the Constitution, is a Union of States and Territories. The Constitution lays down that the members of the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) of each State shall be chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the State. The constitution does not specify the actual number of seats in a particular State Assembly. It is fixed by the Parliament under the Representation of People’s Act, 1951.

The Punjab had bicameral Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad), but the later was abolished in 1969, for effecting economy in State expenditure. Thus from 1969, the Punjab Legislature is unicameral. Previously, it consisted of 104 members, but its strength was raised to 117 in 1975. No person is eligible to be chosen to fill a seat in the Vidhan Sabha, unless he is a citizen of India and not less than 25 years of age and possesses such other qualifications as prescribed in the Representation of People’s Act, 1951, and also does not suffer from any of the stipulated disqualification.

First General Elections, 1951-52.- Consequent upon the passing of the Republic Constitution of India in 1950, the principle of adult franchise was first time introduced for electing member, to the newly constituted Union Legislature called ‘The House of People or Lok Sabha and newly constituted Punjab Legislative Assembly or Vidhan Sabha. Under the new constitution every adult of 21 male or female was entitled to vote barring those who were otherwise disqualified under the Constitution of India. First General Elections in Punjab as in the rest of India were held in 1951-52 to seek the confidence of people .

Parliamentary Constituency¹

The State was delimited into Lok Sabha Constituencies which elected member to that body first time in 1951-52. During the first Lok Sabha elections the area of the present Nawashahr District was covered by Nawashahr Constituency and its Balachaur Tahsil falls in Hoshiarpur Constituency. From the Nawashahr Parliamentary Constituency Congress candidate was declared elected. The total number of electors in this constituency was 3,98,321.

1 Report on the First General Elections in India, 1951-52 pp. 106-07

The number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party is given hereunder:

Name of the Party	Number of valid votes polled		Percentage
Congress	1,16,109	46.37
Communist Party	73,448	29.34
Jan Sangh	33,766	13.49
Socialist	15,772	6.30
Independents	11,280	4.50
Total	2,50,375	100.00

Punjab Legislative Assembly Constituencies²

The area now forming Nawashahr District had two Vidhan Sabha Constituencies consisting of 3 seats viz. Nawashahr double member ( one reserved for the members of Scheduled Castes), and Balachaur. From these constituencies 3 Congress candidates were declared elected. The total number of electors in these constituencies was 1,78,919, out of which 1,72,165 valid votes were polled. The total number of valid votes polled in favour of each of the contesting party is given hereunder:

Name of the Party	Number of valid votes polled		Percentage
Congress	61,237	35.57
Akali	34,286	19.91
Independents	25,218	14.65
Communsts	18,697	10.86
Scheduled Caste Federation	15,744	9.14
Depressed Classes League	8,408	4.88
Socialist	3,228	1.88
Forward Bloc	3,015	1.75
Lal Communist Party	2,332	1.36
Total	1,72,165	100.00

Second General Elections, 1957.- With the merger of the PEPSU with the Punjab on 1 November 1956, the area and population involved had become much larger. The number of seats for the Legislative Assemblies of Punjab which were 126, was now fixed at 154. This necessitated fresh delimitation of constituencies which was effected under the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 1956, in December 1956. The sitting members of the respective Vidhan Sabhas became members of the new Vidhan Sabha till the delimitation of constituencies was completed. The period for conducting elections was fixed from 24 February to 14 March. Voting for most of the Assembly Constituencies was completed in a single day, or in a very few cases, in two days, instead of being spread over a number of days. The counting of votes polled was also taken up from the next day of polling.

2  Report on the First General Legislative Elections in the Punjab State 1951-    52 (Simla 1952, pp.) 164-165 and 170-171

Lok Sabha Constituency

For the Second General Elections the present Nawashahr District had no Parliamentary Constituency of its own and its area was attached with two Parliamentary Constituencies viz. Phillaur (Scheduled Castes) and Hoshiarpur.

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies³

The area now forming Nawashahr District had only 1 Vidhan Sabha Constituency consisting of two seats viz. Nawashahr double member (one reserved for Scheduled Castes). From these constituencies 2 Congress candidates were declared elected. The total number of electors in these constituencies was 1,16,300 with 2,32,600 votes out of which 1,44,623 valid votes polled. The total number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party is as under:

Name of the Party	Number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Congress	65,171	45.06
Communist Party of India	28,245	19.53
Scheduled Castes Federation	28,107	19.43
Jan Sangh	15,007	10.38
Independents	8,093	5.60
Total	1,44,623	100.00

3 Report on General Elections in Punjab, 1957 (Chandigarh, 1959),   p123

Third General Elections, 1962.- A major improvement in the matter of elections in the State this time was with regard to the period of poll. While it took nearly 19 days to complete the poll during the Second General Elections, the poll this time was held and completed on a single day i.e. on 24 February throughout the State except in (Kullu and Seraj) now in Himachal Pradesh constituencies where on account of the areas being snow bound and inaccessible, the poll was deffered and held later towards the end of the April. Punjab was the only State which had the distinction of having a single day poll both for the Parliamentary and Assembly elections. The balloting system of voting adopted during the last general elections was retained only in the remote and inaccessible Kulu and Seraj (now in Himachal Pradesh) constituencies. In all other constituencies in the State, the marking system of voting was adopted.

The double member constituencies were, however, abolished under the two-Member Constituencies (Abolition) Act of 1961 for the Legislative Assemblies as well as for the House of People. Under the Act, the Election Commission was empowered to divide the double member constituencies into single member constituencies, delimit the extent besides reserving the seats for the members of the Scheduled Castes.

Lok Sabha Constituency

The present Nawashahr District had no Parliamentary Constituency of its own and its area was covered by two Parliamentary Constituencies viz. Phillaur (Scheduled Castes) and Hoshiarpur.

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies⁴

With the abolition of double member constituencies under the Act of 1961, the constituencies in the present area of Nawashahr District under went a little change, though the area of Balachaur (now Tahsil of Nawashahr District) was in Garhshankar Constituency of Hoshiarpur District, their number remained the same. The Nawashahr double member constituency has been divided into two single member constituencies. Viz. Nawashahr (Scheduled Castes) and Banga. From these constituencies, 2 Congress candidates were declared elected. The total number of electorates in these constituencies was 1,26,827. The number of electors who voted was 81,648. The total number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party is given hereunder:

4 Report on General Elections in Punjab, 1962 (Chandigarh), 1963,  p,80

Name of the Party	Number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Congress	48,518	61.76
Republican	17,202	21.90
Akali	10,424	13.27
Independents	2,417	3.07
Total	78,561	100.00

Fourth General Elections, 1967.- The general elections held in 1967 were the fourth in the country and the first in the new State of Punjab, which came into being after the reorganisation of State on 1 November 1966. Consequently, the constituencies delimited in 1965 were subjected to fresh delimitation, as notified by the Delimitation Commission in November 1966. By this order, the area which now forms Nawashahr District was provided 3 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies and was covered by two Parliamentary Constituencies.

The poll throughout the State was held on a single day on 19 February 1967. The counting was started on 21 February and completed on 24 February.

Parliamentary Constituency

During the Fourth General Elections, the area of present Nawashahr District was falling in two Parliamentary Constituencies viz. Phillaur (Scheduled Castes) and Hoshiarpur.

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies⁵

The area which now forms Nawashahr District had 3 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies (including 1 reserved for the Scheduled Castes) viz. Nawashahr, Banga (SC) and Balachaur. From these constituencies 2 Congress and 1 Akali Dal (Sant Group) candidates were declared elected. The total number of electors in these constituencies was 1,88,804, out of which 1,37,467 voted . The total number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party is given as under:

5 Report on General Elections in Punjab, 1967 (Chandigarh, 1968) . 78 and 80

Name of the Party	Number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Congress	59,028	45.33
Independents	32,558	25.00
Akali Dal (Sant Group)	30,462	23.40
Jan Sangh	3,671	2.82
Republican	3,149	2.42
Akali Dal (Master Tara Singh Group)	1,336	1.03
Total	1,30,204	100.00

Midterm Poll 1969⁶.- During the Fourth General Elections 1967 no single party had absolute majority in the Vidhan Sabha of 104 members. The political parties viz. the Akali Dal (Sant Group), the Jan Sangh, the Republican Party of India and the Right Communists joined together to form the United Front, which staked its claim to form the Government. The United Front Government assumed office on 8 March 1967. After sometime the game of defections started and the Government became unstable. Some members of the ruling United Front left the Front, formed a new group and also a new Government on 25 November 1967 with the support of the Congress Legislative Party and some Independents. The relationship between the Ministry and the Congress Party, its main supporter did not, however, continue to be smooth for long and ultimately the Congress Party withdrew its support from the new Ministry which had, then to resign. As a result a situation was created in which no single party or workable alliance, of parties could provide a stable Government. In these circumstances on the recommendations of the Governor, the President’s rule was proclaimed in the State from 23 August 1968. Thus the Punjab Vidhan Sabha constituted in 1967 stood dissolved, necessitating mid-term general elections to constitute a new Vidhan Sabha. The poll, throughout the State was held on a single day (9 February 1969). The counting was started on 10 February and completed on 11 February.

During the mid-term general elections, the area of the present Nawashahr District had 3 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies (including one reserved for the Scheduled Castes) viz. Nawashahr, Banga (SC) and Balachaur. From these constituencies 3 Indian National Congress candidates were declared elected. The total number of electors in these constituencies was 1,94,703 out of which 1,46,687 voted. The number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party is given asunder:

6 Report on the Mid-term General Elections to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha      1969     (Chandigarh, 1971), pp. 60-63

Name of the Party	Number of valid votes polled		Percentage
Indian National Congress	73,348	52.72
Akali Dal	25,825	18.56
Swatantra Party	17,308	12.44
Communist Party of India (Marxist)	13,500	9.70
Republican Party of India	3,889	2.79
Communist Party of India	3,213	2.31
Republican Party (Ambedkar)	1,372	6 .99
Independents	681	0 .49
Total	1,39,136	100.00

Fifth General Elections to the Lok Sabha, 1971.- The Fifth General Elections to the Lok Sabha were held in the country in March 1971. The present area of the Nawashahr District had no Parliamentary Constituency. Its area was attached with two Parliamentary Constituencies viz. Phillaur (Scheduled Castes) and Hoshiarpur.

Fifth General Elections to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 1972⁷.- These elections were the result of the premature dissolution of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha constituted in 1969. It was the second time after the reorganization of Punjab that President’s Rule was imposed in the State. Fifth General Elections were held during emergency which was declared in the country due to Indo-Pak conflict in 1971. The poll throughout the State was held on a single day on 11 March 1972 and counting was completed on 13 March. The election was held under the ‘marking system of voting’. An additional feature of these elections was new design of ballot paper which was printed for the first time along with counterfoil attached to it.

The area which now forms Nawashahr District had 3 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies (including one reserved for the Scheduled Castes) viz. Nawashahr, Banga (SC) and Balachaur. From these constituencies 2 Indian National Congress and 1 Independent candidate were declared elected. The total number of electors in these constituencies was 2,11,143 out of which 1,42,195 voted. The number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party given as under:

7 Report on the Fifth General Election to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha,     1972, (Chandigarh, 1974) pp. 8

Name of the Party	Number of valid votes polled		Percentage
Indian National Congress	80,069	57.66
Independents	54,394	39.17
Shiromani Akali Dal	4,400	3.17
Total	1,38,863	100.00

Sixth General Elections to the Lok Sabha and Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 1977⁸.- The Fifth Lok Sabha was constituted in March 1971. Prior to the enforcement of Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976, the duration of Lok Sabha was five years. Thus, normally the Sixth Lok Sabha was to be elected in 1976. During the emergency, the tenure of the Lok Sabha was twice extended, each time by one year i.e. upto March 1978. However the Fifth Lok Sabha was dissolved on 18 January 1977 and a general election was ordered within 2 months, which was conducted on 16 March 1977. For the first time, since Independence, the Congress Party was voted out of power at the national level and a new party, the Janata Party formed the first non-Congress Government at the Centre. The Janata Party was formed out of combination of four opposition parties, the Organisation Congress, the Bhartiya Lok Dal, the Jan Sangh and the Socialist Party. The Congress for Democracy also joined this block later on. The Lok Sabha poll throughout the Punjab State except Firozpur Constituency was held on a single day on 16 March 1977.

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha elected in March 1972 was normally to last upto 20 March 1977. But due to the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution, its term stood extended till March 1978. The new Government at Centre had decided to call early elections in a number of States on the plea that a climate of uncertainty had come to prevail in wake of virtual rejection in the Lok Sabha elections of the Congress candidates in several States. Consequently, the Vidhan Sabha elections in some States including Punjab were held. In Punjab, these elections except Anandpur Sahib Constituency were held on 12 June 1977 and completed on the same day.

The election was held under the marking system of voting and ballot paper with counterfoil was used. The elections to the Lok Sabha

and Punjab Vidhan Sabha were held as the constituencies declared delimited by the Delimitation Commission’s Order No. 41 of 24 May 1975. According to it, there was no change made in the Lok Sabha constituencies, but the number of Punjab Vidhan Sabha constituencies was raised from 104 to 117 in the State.

8  Report on the Lok Sabha and Punjab Vidhan Sabha     Elections, 1977 (Chandigarh,     1979), pp. 78 and 81

Lok Sabha Constituency

The area which now forms Nawashahr District had no Parliamentary Constituency of its own. Its area was attached with two Parliamentary Constituencies viz. Phillaur (Scheduled Castes) and Hoshiarpur.

Vidhan Sabha Constituencies

The area of the present Nawashahr District had 3 Vidhan Sabha constituencies (including one reserved for the Scheduled Castes) viz. Nawashahr, Banga (SC) and Balachaur. From these constituencies 1 Communist Party of India (Marxist), 1 Shromani Akali Dal and 1 Janata Party candidates were declared elected. The total number of electors in these constituencies was 2,47,558 , out of which 1,69,180 voted. The number of valid votes polled by each of the contesting party is given as under:

Name of the Party	Number of valid votes polled		Percentage
Indian National Congress	67,638	36.88
Shiromani Akali Dal	35,457	21.21
Independents	28,792	17.23
Commimist Party of India (Marxist)	23,695	14.18
Janata Party	11,344	6 .79
Republican Party of India (K)	4,235	2 .53
Republican Party of India (R)	1,327	0.79
All India Labour Party	658	0.39
Total	1,67,146	100.00

Seventh (Mid-term) General Elections, 1980⁹.– The Janata Government formed in 1977 did not remain stable. As the party had been formed with the merger of four major political parties. Its members reverted to their previous loyalties. This led to differences within the Janata Party resulting in defection by many MPs who formed a new group, which ultimately led to the fall of Janata Government in New Delhi. The group of MPs who had defected from the Janata Party was able to form, with the support of Congress (I) a new Government. However, the relationship between the new Government and the Congress did not remain smooth for long, with the result that the Congress (I) withdraws its support and the Government fell without facing the Parliament even once. The Lok Sabha was dissolved by the President under sub-clause (b) of clause (2) of Article 85 of the Constitution on 22 August 1979, but the Government was allowed to continue as Caretaker Government till the elections were held for constituting the new Parliament.

9 Report on the General Elections to the Lok Sabha and Punjab Vidhan        Sabha, 1980 issued by Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, pp. 94-97

The Seventh (mid-term) General Elections were held in the country on 3 January 1980. The term of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha constituted in June 1977 was due to expire in 1982. However, after the Lok Sabha Elections held in January 1980, which resulted in the change of Government at the central level. It was felt that the climate of uncertainty had come to prevail in the State which were not ruled by the Congress (I). The Government of the Centre decided to go for fresh polls in such States, including Punjab. Accordingly, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha was dissolved by the President under Article 350 of the Constitution on 17 February 1980. The elections to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha were held on 30 May 1980 and completed on the same day.

Lok Sabha Constituency

The area which now forms Nawashahr District had no Parliamentary Constituency of its own. Its area was attached with two Parliamentary Constituencies viz. Phillaur (Scheduled Castes), Hoshiarpur.

Vidhan Sabha Constituencies

For these elections to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha there were 3 Assembly Constituencies in the area of the present Nawashahr District viz. Banga (Scheduled Castes), Nawashahr and Balachaur. From these constituencies 2 Congress (I) and 1 Independent candidates were declared elected. The total number of electors in these constituencies was 2,82,335, out of which 1,82,495 voted. The number of valid votes polled in the district was 1,80,519. Number of valid votes polled by each of the contesting party is given hereunder:

Name of the Party	Number of valid votes polled			Percentage
Indian National Congress	64,704		35.84
Shiromani Akali Dal	19,413		10.75
Communist party of India (Marxist)	23,015		12.75
Independents	41,853		23.19
Bhartiya Janta Party	9,784		5.42
Jai Prakash Naryan Party (JP)		16,139	8.94
Jai Parkash Magayat Party (SC)	5,611		3.11
Total	1,80,519		100.00

Eighth General Elections to the Lok Sabha and the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 1985¹⁰.- The term of the Seventh Lok Sabha constituted in January 1980 was due to expire on 20 January 1985. Consequently, general elections were held in India on 24 and 27 December 1984 to constitute the new (Eighth) Lok Sabha excepting the parliamentary constituencies falling in the States of Assam and Punjab. Elections in Assam and Punjab could not be held at that time alongwith other States as the circumstances, prevailing in these States were not conducive for holding elections. With a view to eliminate any chances of litigation at a later stage, a new Section 73(A) was inserted in the Representation of the People Act, 1951, by an ordinance issued by the President of India on 20 November 1984.

The term of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha constituted in June 1980 was due to expire in June 1985. The President’s rule was imposed in the State on 6 October 1983 and Legislative Assembly was kept in suspended animation. Under the 48th Amendment of the Constitution, President’s rule could have been continued only upto a period of maximum two years, i.e. upto 5 October 1985. Under the circumstances, elections to the Punjab Legislative Assembly had to be held before that. date. In the mean time, on the expiry of 5 years term the Assembly stood automatically dissolved with effect from 26 June 1985. The elections to the Eighth Vidhan Sabha were held alongwith the elections to Eighth Lok Sabha Elections on 25 September 1985.

10 Report on the General Elections to the Lok Sabha and Punjab Vidhan       Sabha 1985 issued by the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Chandigarh pp.       76-79

Lok Sabha Constituency

The area which now forms Nawashahr District had no Parliamentary Constituency of its own. Its area was attached with two Parliamentary Constituencies viz Phillaur (Scheduled Castes) and Hoshiarpur.

Vidhan Sabha Constituencies

The area of the present Nawashahr District had 3 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies viz. Banga, (Scheduled Castes), Nawashahr and Balachaur. From these constituencies 1 Shiromani Akali Dal, 1 Indian National Congress and 1 Independent candidates were declared elected. The number of electors in these constituencies was 2,88,007. The number of voters who voted in these constituencies was 2,09,548. The number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party is given hereunder:

Name of the Party	Number of valid votes polled		Percentage
Independents	77,588	38.81
Indian National Congress	61,225	30.63
Shiromani Akali Dal	50,683	25.35
Communist Party of India (Marxist)	10,405	5.21
Total	1,99,901	100.00

Ninth General Elections to the Lok Sabha, 1989.-The Ninth General Elections were held in the country on 26 November 1989 excepting the State of Assam. The area which now forms Nawashahr District had no Parliamentary Constituency of its own. Its area was attached with two Parliamentary Constituencies viz. Phillaur (Scheduled Castes) and Hoshiarpur

Tenth General Elections (Mid-term) to the Lok Sabha and Punjab Vidhan Sabha 1992¹¹.- The Ninth Lok Sabha could not complete its full term and was dissolved. The President of India issued Notification on 19 April 1991, calling upon all Parliamentary Constituencies other than those within the State of Jammu and Kashmir

11 Report on the General Elections to the Lok Sabha and Punjab Vidhan  Sabha,      1992 issued by the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, pp. 70-71 and 74-75

to elect members to the House of the People. The date of poll for Punjab State was fixed as 20 May 1991 which was later on changed to 22 June 1991 and thereafter 25 September 1991. The elections in Punjab was cancelled vide Bill No. 156 C of 1991, i.e., “The Cancellation of General Elections in Punjab 1991”. Thereafter the poll in Punjab State was held on 19 February 1992. The Punjab Vidhan Sabha was constituted on 29 September 1985, but the President’s Rule was imposed in the State with effect from 4 May 1987 and the Assembly remained in suspended animation. On 6 March 1988, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha was dissolved and the State remained under President’s Rule for a period of 4 years 9 months and 15 days. The Vidhan Sabha elections were held on 19 February 1992 and results were declared on 20 and 21 February 1992.

The President’s Rule was revoked on 25 February 1992 and a new assembly was constituted on that date.

Lok Sabha Constituency

The area which now forms Nawashahr District had no Parliamentary Constituency of its own. Its area was attached with two Parliamentary Constituencies viz. Phillaur (Scheduled Castes) and Hoshiarpur.

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies

The area which now forms Nawashahr District had three Assembly Constituencies viz. Banga (Scheduled Castes), Nawashahr and Balachaur. From these Constituencies, 2 Bahujan Samaj Party, and 1 Indian National Congress candidates were declared elected. The number of electors in these constituencies was 3,52,890 and the number of persons who voted was 1,41,045. The number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party is given as under:

Name of the Party	Number of valid votes polled		Percentage
Bahujan Samaj Party	47,817	35.31
Indian National Congress	44,714	33.02
Independents	21,363	15.78
Communist Party of India	8,716	6.44
Bhartiya Janta Party	5,656	4.18
Communist Party of India (Marxist)	5,255	3.88
Janta Dal	1,883	1.39
Total	1,35,404	100.00

Eleventh General Elections to the Lok Sabha, 1996.- The term of the lenth Lok Sabha which was constituted in June 1991 was due to expire in 8 July 1996. General Elections were held in the State on 27 April 1996 in all the Parliamentary Constituencies along with the rest of the country to constitute Eleventh Lok Sabha. The results were declared on 8 and 9 May 1996.

The area which now forms Nawashahr District had no Parliamentary Constituency of its own. Its area was attached with two Parliamentary Constituencies, viz. Phillaur (Scheduled Castes) and Hoshiarpur.

          Tenth General Elections to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha 1997¹² .- The term of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha was due to expire on 24 February 1997. Consequently tenth general elections were held in the State. The elections to the tenth Vidhan Sabha were held in Punjab on 7 February 1997 and the results were declared on 9 February 1997.

The Nawashahr District had 3 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies, viz., Banga (Scheduled Castes), Nawashahr and Balachaur. From these constituencies 2 Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and 1 Independent candidates were declared elected: The total number of electors in these constituencies was 3,77,645 out of which 2,66,482 voted. The number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party is given hereunder:

Name of the party	Number of valid votes polled			Percentage
Shiromani Akali Dal		1,04,103	39.57
Bahujan Smaj party		74,673	28.38
Independents		54,128	20.57
Indian National Congress		24,115	9.18
Communist party of India (Marxist)		4,112	1.56
Janta Dal		1,477	0.56
Bahujan Smaj Party (Ambedkar)		470	0.18
Total		2,63,078	100.00

Twelfth General Election to the Lok Sabha, 1998.- The Eleventh Lok Sabha could not complete its full term and was dissolved

12 Report on the General Elections to the Legislative Assembly of      Punjab, 1997, pp. 52-53 and 59

on 4 December 1997. The Lok Sabha elections were held on 16 February 1998. The results were declared on 2 and 3 March 1998 in all the Parliamentary Constituencies of the State.

The area presently falling in Nawashahr District had no Parliamentary Constituency of its own. The assembly constituencies Nawashahr and Banga of the district were attached to Phillaur (SC) Lok Sabha Constituency and Balachaur Assembly Constituency was attached to Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha Constituency.

Thirteenth General Election to Lok Sabha, 1999.- The term of the twelfth Lok Sabha elected in 1998 was due to expire after five years but due to unavoidable circumstances the Lok Sabha was dissolved on 26 April 1999 and the Lok Sabha elections were held on 5 September 1999 in the Punjab State. The area which now forms Nawashahr District had no Parliamentary Constituency of its own. Its area was attached with two Parliamentary Constituencies, viz. Phillaur (Scheduled Castes) and Hoshiarpur.

By–Election to the Nawashahr Assembly Constituency, 2000¹³.- Bye-election to the Assembly Constituency Nawashahr was held on 25 February 2000 as the sitting member from this constituency resigned on 11 October 1999. From this constituency Shiromani Akali Dal candidate was declared elected. The number of valid votes polled by each of the contesting party is given hereunder:

Name of the party	Number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Shiromani Akali Dal	59,533	56.01
Indian National Congress	33,022	31.07
Bahujan Smaj Party	11,294	10.62
Independents	1,567	1.47
Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal	484	0.46
Republican Party Of India	394	0.37
Total	1,06,294	100.00

          Eleventh General Elections to Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 2002¹⁴ .- The term of the tenth Vidhan Sabha was due to expire on 24 February

13   By-Election to the Nawashahr Assembly Constituency, 2000 issued  by         the Election Commission of India, 2000

14 Report prepared by the District Election Officer, Nawashahr.

2002. Consequently eleventh Vidhan Sabha Elections were held in the State on 24 February 2002 and the results were declared on 24 February 2002. The Nawashahr District had 3 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies, viz. Banga (Scheduled Castes), Nawashahr and Balachaur. From these constituencies 2 Indian National Congress and 1 Shiromani Akali Dal candidates were declared elected. The total number of electors in these constituencies was 3,74,139. The number of votes polled was 2,60,870. The number of valid votes polled by each of the contesting party is given hereunder:

Name of the Party	Number of votes polled valid		Percentage
Indian National Congress	83,527	32.02
Bahujan Samaj Party	65,606	25.15
Shiromani Akali Dal	50,758	19.46
Independents	33,191	12.72
Democratic Bahujan Smaj Morcha	23,664	9.07
Communist Party of India (Marxist)	1,336	0 .51
Phule Bharti Lok Party	1,119	0.43
Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann)	848	0.33
Lok Bharat Party	796	0.31
Total	2,60,845	100.00

(b)Political Parties and Organizations

For the successful implementation of democratic form of Government political parties are of great importance. Modern democratic governments cannot function effectively in the absence of political parties. They play a very important role in the functioning of democracies in as much as they are the means of educating public opinion on general issues and also of criticising government policies where they are not supported by incontrovertible arguments. The most important function of the political parties is to provide the possibility of an alternative government to that which is in office.

The development of political parties had brought about a profound transformation in the structure of political regime. They also stand for certain ideas and are committed to a specific set of policies and programmes. Their numerical strength varies from time to time. In India, political parties have been in existence for quite some time past, but they are not well-organized. The adoption of the British Parliamentary System of Government after the Independence, however called for their re-organization on solid lines. As a result of merges and amalgamations, a number of well-organized all-India parties and State Parties have been left in the political field.

A brief description of the political parties, which have their branches in the Nawashahr district are given below:

All India Parties

Indian National Congress.- Founded in 1885 for the purpose of mobilizing public opinion on the problems of the country, it became the most powerful instrument of nation’s struggle for freedom. In 1947, India achieved Independence and the Congress party became the ruling party in the country.

The Congress has a secular and national outlook. The main objectives of the party since Independence have been: to set up a socialistic pattern of society to raise the standard of living of the down trodden, to defend secularism, to provide basic requirements to the people and to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor. Since Independence, the Congress party has taken several steps to ameliorate the lot of the poor people. The Indian National Congress witnessed two splits since Independence. The first split took place in 1969 and the other in 1977. Since the attainment of Independence, the party run the Government in the State upto 1966-67 from 1972 to 1977, from 1980 to 1983, from 1992 to 1997 and again came into power in 2002.

Communist Party of India.- The Russian Revolution of 1917 left a deep influence on the minds of the Indian youth and they came to believe in using revolutionary methods to solve the political, economic and social problems of India. As a result, many organizations came into existence in India, which were opposed to the methods adopted by the Indian National Congress for the attainment of freedem and favoured the adoption of new methods based on Marxist principles. These different organizations assembled together at Kanpur in December 1925 and formed the Communist Party of India. The Party actively participated in the national movement. After the Independence, it became one of the major opposition parties in India. The party enjoys influence among the labourers and small peasants. There was a split in the party in 1964 and new Party viz. Communist Party of India (Marxist) was formed.

Communist Party of India (Marxist).- The party was the result of the split which occurred in the Communist Party of India in 1964. It stands for communism and socialism through the establishment of State of dictatorship. State of dictatorship of the proletariat in all its activities the party is guided by the philosophy and principles of Marxism and Leninism.

Janata Party.- This party came into being as an alternative to Congress on 1 May 1977. The party was formed after the merger of major opposition parties, viz. the Congress (O), the Jan Sangh, the Bhartiya Lok Dal and the Socialist Party. Later on the Congress for Democracy was also merged with Janata Party. The party won the Sixth General Elections to the Lok Sabha and gained absolute majority. It captured only one Vidhan Sabha seat in 1977 elections in the district.

Bhartiya Janta Party.- Bhartiya Janta Party is a recognised national party. It came into existence in April1980. It is in fact a revival of Jan Sangh which was merged in the Janta Party in 1977. The objective of the Jan Sangh was the rebuilding of Bharat on the basis of Bhartiya Sanskriti and Maryada as a political, social and economic democracy guaranteeing equality of opportunity and liberty of persons to all citizens so as to build up prosperous, powerful and united nation, progressive, modern and enlightened able to withstand the aggressive designs of others and to exert herself in the country of nations for the establishment of world peace. Besides, pursuing the above principles and policies of Jan Sangh, the Bhartiya Janta Party is also thriving for nationalism and national integration, democracy in all spheres of life, positive secularism; Gandhian Socialism and value added politics. The party is of the view that moral values must be restored their place in public life and a new society on the basis of the values like tolerance, contentment, simple living, hardworking and brotherhood is to be build. It believes in building a society free from exploitation and discrimination. Politics is to be based on certain values and principles; only quest for power should not be the aim. The party has accepted the concept of Gandhian Socialism after due deliberation. Gandhian Socialism regards decentralization as the basis of the political system. Gandhian socialism is totally against State monopoly of economic power. Both communism as well as capitalism has generated a new kind of inequality, inhumanity, violence, selfishness, greed, unrestrained, consumerism and alienation. The party contested the 1985, 1989, 1992, 1997 and 2002 elections in the State.

The Janta Dal.- Janta Dal emerged on the political map of India as an alternative to Congress. Lok Dal, Janata Party and Jan Morcha together formed this party in 1988. It stands for social and economic up lift of the people. This party formed the Government at the centre in December 1989 with the outside support of Bhartiya Janta Party and Leftist Groups. It remained into power upto November 1990. The party got split in 1990. The party contested 1992 and 1997 Vidhan Sabha elections in the State.

Bahujan Samaj Party. - It is a recognized national party which came into existence in 1984 at village Musapur presently in Nawashahr District on 14 April 1984 Sh. Kanshi Ram as its first president. The main purpose of the party is to restrict the exploitation of the weaker sections and suppression of the deprived through social and economic change and to bring in reality universal justice, liberty, equality and fraternity enunciated in the constitution of India. The party contested the 1992,1997 and 2002 elections and won two seats in 1992 Vidhan Sabha elections.

State Parties

Shiromani Akali Dal.- Shiromani Akali Dal is an important regional party of Punjab. The party came into being in 1920 as a representative body of the Sikhs. During the Gurudwara Reforms Movement 1920-25, it played a significant role in bringing about major reforms in the management of Sikh shrines and bringing them under the control of the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee. It actively participated in the national freedom struggle in collaboration with the Indian National Congress and emerged as a vanguard of the Non- cooperation Movement in the Punjab during 1931-32. It emerged as full-fledged political party in the State during 1936-37 elections held under the Government of India Act, 1935. The party continues to function as a religious and social organization.

The party got split into two groups in 1962 viz. Master Tara Singh Group and Sant Fateh Singh Group. These groups reunited after the death of Master Tara Singh in November 1967. In August 1980, the Akali Dal saw another split. It was divided into two factions Akali Dal (Longowal) and Akali Dal (Talwandi). On 1 May 1985 both the factions of the Akali Dal were dissolved to form Unified Akali Dal, but Akali Dal (Longowal) did not agree to join it and maintained its separate entity. On 8 May 1986 there was a split in the Akali Dal (Longowal) when some legislators formed new Akali Dal (Badal ). In 1993, Akali Dal (Longowal), Akali Dal (Badal) all merged into one Akali Dal (Amritsar). But after few months Akali Dal (Badal) and Akali Dal (Longowal) separated and formed Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal). Mann Group retained the Akali Dal (Amritsar). In 1994, Tohra faction quitted the Akali Dal (Amritsar) and joined the Akali Dal (Badal). Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) again got split in November 1998 with Tohra Faction coming out of it and formed its new party in 1999 named Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal. In July 2003, Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal merged into Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal).

The position of different parties from the Nawashahr District in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on the basis of General Election held from time to time is given in the following table:-

(c) Newspaper and Periodicals

The newspapers and periodicals play a very important role in the daily routine of the people. Reading of newspapers has become a habit. The newspapers and periodicals now not only publish news on political scene of the country, these also disseminate international news. Besides, the newspapers also bring to the reader all kind of other information on topics such as history, economics, sports, social, religious, etc. These also publish articles of other contributes on various topics.

The particulars of the newspapers and periodicals published in the district are given below:

Serial No	Name of periodicals	Language	Place of Publication	Period of Circulation
1	Panch Nad	Punjabi	Nawashahr	Weekly
2	Parvasi Bachinde	Punjabi	Nawashahr	Fortnightly
3	Pighalde Pathar	Punjabi	Nawashahr	Quarterly
4	Punjab Green	Punjabi	Nawashahr	Fortnightly
5	Manushya Jiwan	Hindi	Nawashahr	Monthly
6	Surpreet	Punjabi	Nawashahr	Monthly
(Source: Registrar of Newspapers and Periodicals for India)

(d) Voluntary Social Service Organizations

After the attainment of Independence, the Governments both at the Centre and State addressed themselves to solve the socio-economic problems like illiteracy, untouchability, oppression of women, child labour, unemployment, epidemics and poverty. In view of the complexity and magnitude of these problems, the Government could not fully cater to the needs of all sections of the people. So the non-governmental organizations, otherwise, known as voluntary social service organizations started taking interest in these problems. These organizations are self governing bodies of the people working together for the betterment of the society and the community life as a whole. These organizations supplement the efforts made by the State towards the development of human personality and by their power and influence over the lives of the individuals make it rich, resourceful and worth- living. These are past and parcel of public life and their importance in the social organizations cannot be minimised because these reflect the culture and civilization of the social group of which these form a part. These organizations can be classified as International, National, State and local level. The Indian Red Cross Society, Lions Club and Rotary Club belongs to the category of International Organizations. Several local organizations, requested under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, are voluntarily participating in the service of the society. These stood forefront in organising relief measures during natural calamities.

There are a number of voluntary social service organizations functioning in the district serving the social needs of the people in a variety of ways. These organizations render services in the field of education, medical, public health and hygiene, drinking water, upliftment of under-privileged classes, children, women, aged and infirms, handicapped and other deserving sections of the society. A brief account of the activities and achievements of some of the important organizations is given below:

General Welfare Institutions

Shri Ram Sharnam Sewa Sanstha, Nawashahr.- The institution came into existence on 18 November 1997 with 500 members on its roll. The main objective of this institution is to provide help to the needy people and poor in the hour of their distress. For this purpose the institution provides daily free milk in Civil Hospital, Nawashahr. One free sewing centre has been providing training to the poor girls since 1998. Two electric water coolers (one at bus stand Nawashahr and the other at Shri Ram Sharnam Chowk) and 12 water tanks located at different places in the city serve water to the people. It also provides free books, tuition fee and uniform to the deserving students. Every year it organizes free eye operation camps at various places in the city.

Mahila Sewa Samiti, Nawashar.- Samiti came into existence in January 1987. It had 27 members. The samiti provides help to the poor and needy people residing in rural areas. It is running three sewing centres in the rural areas of the district for providing training in stitching and tailoring. This centre also provides them training in reading and writing.

Doaba Social Welfare Society, Nawashahr.- The institution came into existence in 1998. It had 9 members. The institution organizes free medical check-up camps, free eye check-up camps and free dental check- up camps at various places in the district.

Doaba Kusht Ashram (Leprosy Home), Nawashahr.- Established in 1969, it had 94 members. The institution provides technical education to the needy and poor children in printing press, auto works, etc. The institution had established dharamshalas in the city in order to provide shelter to the sick.

Guru Nanak Mission and Educational Trust, Dhahan Kaleran (Nawashahr).- The trust came into existence on 17 April 1979. The trust is running four hundred bedded hospital, one de-addiction centre and one nursing college. Since 1979, the trust is serving the sick and suffering people lying in the hospital. Free diet and milk is provided to the needy patients free of cost. As on 31 March 2001, the trust had 21 members.

S.S. Jain Sabha, Nawashahr.- The society came into existence in 1942. It organizes blood donation camps. To provide free medical facilities to the poor, it is running one medical dispensary at Nawashahr. One sewing centre has also been functioning in the city. It also organizes free eye check-up camps at various places in the district.

Organizations of National or International Repute

There are a number of other organizations of national and international repute which have been established elsewhere but have their branches in the district.

The Indian Red Cross Society Nawashahr.- The Indian Red Cross Society was established under Act XV of the Government of India. The District Red Cross Branch, Nawashahr was started on l7 November 1995.

The society provides assistance to the poor and needy persons in the form of medical aid, clothes, assistance, etc. It also provides sewing machines to poor widows, and tri-cycles, artificial limbs, clippers, crutches, etc., to the handicapped persons. The income of the society during 2000-2001 was Rs 23,50,700. During the year 2000-2001 the society distributed 142 sewing machines to the widows and destitute women and 42 tri-cycles to the handicapped persons.

The society also liberally contributes to other social welfare institutions. The society is also running one medical store on no profit no loss basis.

Lions Club

It is an International organization, whose motto is ‘Make your Fellow Men Feel Needed’. It is a type of brotherhood to serve the humanity at large. Its activities are dedicated to the welfare of needy and the poor. The various branches of the lions club functioning in the district are described below:

Lions Club, Mehak, Nawashahar.- The club was established in 1992. It had 39 members. It provides naturopathy treatment to the diabetic patients. It organizes health awareness camps at various places in the district.

Lions Club, City Smile, Banga.- Club came into existence in 1999. As on 31 March 2001, it had 30 members. Club has devoted its self towards health awareness and social service activities.

Lions Club, Nawashahr .- The club came into existence in 1992. As on 31 March 2001, it had 20 members. The main activities of the club are to organize medical check-up camps and traffic awareness camps, etc.

Rotary Club

The Rotary club is a world organization with its headquarters in the United States of America. Its motto is ‘Service Above Self’. It is a type of international brotherhood to serve the humanity as a whole in all walks of life. It serves the people at the time of need and during natural calamities.

Rotary Club, Nawashahr.- It came into existence in 1977. As on 31 March 2001, the club had 35 members. It organizes yoga camps environmental improvement camps at Rotary Bhawan, Nawashahr.

Party Position in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Elections in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Nawashhr District
Name of the Of Party	First General Elections 1951-52	Second General Elections 1957	Third General Elections 1962	Fourth General Elections 1967	Mid Term Election 1969	Fifth General Elections 1972	Sixth General Elections 1977	Seventh General Elections 1980	Eighth General Elections 1985	General Election 1992	Tenth General Elections 1997	Eleventh General Elections 2002
All India Parties
Indian National Congress	3	2	2	2	3	2	-	2	1	1	-	2
Communist Party of India	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Communist Party of India (Marxist)	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-
Bhartiya Jan Sangh	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Lal Communication Party	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Janata Party	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-
Janta Party	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Samyukta Socialist Party	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Bahujan Samaj Party	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-
State Parties	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	1	-	-	-
Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	1
Akali Dal (Sant Group )	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Akali Dal (Tara Group)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Independent	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	1	1	-	1	-
(Reports on General Elections 1951, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1992, 1997, 2002)

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