CHAPTER XVIII
PUBLIC LIFE AND VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANISATIONS
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Representation of the District in the State and Union Legislatures |
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(a) Representation of the District in the State and Union Legislatures
Historical
Background. – Prior to the formation of
Patiala and East Punjab States Union (pepsu)
in 1948, Faridkot was a full-fledged Princely State. Faridkot Town was made
district headquarters of the newly formed Bathinda District, which were shifted
to Bathinda in 1953. On 7 August 1972, Faridkot itself was made a district
comprising the territories of tahsil Faridkot of Bathinda District and Moga and
Muktsar tahsils of Firozpur District. Prior to the formation of pepsu, the rulers of the Princely State
never countenanced political awakening among their subjects and put down any
agitation in the political field with iron-hand. In doing so, the Raja of the
Princely State had full support of the British Government.
But still the patriots in these feudal pockets did
raise their heads and contributed their mite in the national struggle for
Independence. Many movements were launched under different names, such as Jaito
Morcha, Namdhari Agitation, etc. and scores of Patriots laid down their lives
in the process of bringing and encouraging political awakening. For this
purpose, they organized praja mandals whose ideology was the same as that of
the Indian National Congress in the Princely State.
After the formation of pepsu in 1948 and later on its merger into Punjab on 1
November 1956, great changes have taken place and people are now enjoying the
same political, social and economic rights as are being enjoyed by the people
in State.
The Government of India Act, 1919 introduced
representative Government into 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.
General
Elections held under the Constitution of India.
– Under the Government of India Act, 1919, 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 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 180n 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
entitled 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 the 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 electorates for the Muslims, but also extended
them to the Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans.
The Constitution of India which came into force on
26 January 1950 has made a clean sweep of the postulate of communal 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
entitles to vote if he is not, otherwise disqualified. Till 1989, nine 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 sprit
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 State had bicameral Legislative Assembly
(Vidhan Sabha) and Legislative Council (Vidhan parishad), but the latter 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 Act, 1951 and also does not suffer from any of
the stipulated disqualifications.
Till 1992, 10 general elections have been conducted
in the Faridkot District. A brief account of these elections is given below:
First
General Elections, 1951-52. – The First
General Elections in the country after the adoption of Indian Constitution were
held in 1951-52. These elections were also held in the PEPSU of which Faridkot
was a part. Franchise was thrown open to every adult not suffering from any
disqualification otherwise.
Parliamentary Constituency
At the time of the first General Elections in 1951-52 the area of present Faridkot District fell in the Bathinda and Firozpur districts. Tahsil Faridkot was a part of the Bathinda District. There was on (double member) parliamentary Constituency in the Bathinda District viz. Kapurthala-Bathinda. It was created to elect one member from amongst the general and the other from reserved category of candidates. The area of Kapurthala District was also clubbed with it. Both the seats of this constituency were captured by the Akali candidates. The total number of valid votes polled by each of the contesting party was as under:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Akali
Dal |
3,96,690 |
45.94 |
|
Congress
|
2,74,815 |
31.75 |
|
Socialist
|
38,222 |
4.47 |
|
Jan
Sangh |
37,345 |
4.37 |
|
Kisan
Mazdoor Praja Party |
33,613 |
3.85 |
|
Forward
Block |
31,081 |
3.65 |
|
Total |
51,507 8,63,273 |
5.97 100,00 |
Moga and Muktsar tahsils of the present Faridkot District formed part of the Firozpur District. In 1951-52, there were two Parliamentary constituencies in the District viz. Fazilka-Sirsa and Firozpur-Ludhiana (double member constituency) and these constituencies consisted of 3,60,933 and 7,64,171 electors respectively. Some area of the Fazilka-sirsa constituency fell into the sirsa District (Now in the Haryana State), Faridkot and Bathinda Districts, whereas the Firozpur-Ludhiana (double member) constituency had included some area of Faridkot and Ludhiana districts. The candidate elected from the Fazilka-Sirsa Parliamentary constituency had affiliation with the Congress, whereas both of those elected from the double member Firozpur-Ludhiana parliamentary Constituency had party affiliation with the Akali Dal. The number of votes polled by the different political parties was as follows:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Indian
National Congress |
3,59,282 |
35.1 |
|
Akali
Dal |
3,58,519 |
34.9 |
|
Independents
|
1,79,616 |
17.5 |
|
Scheduled
Castes Federation |
1,16,057 |
11.3 |
|
Jan
Sangh |
12,672 |
1.2 |
|
Total
|
10,26,146 |
100.00 |
Punjab Legislative Assembly Constituencies
There were 5 Assembly Constituencies consisting of 7 seats (two
constituencies being double member) in the area now forming part of Faridkot District
viz. Mehna, Bagha Purana, Moga-Dharmkot (double member), Muktsar and Kot Bhai
(double member). From these constituencies 5 Akali Dal, 1 Communist and 1 Lal
Communist Party candidates were declared elected. The total number of electors
in these constituencies was 3,80,712.
The number of valid votes polled by each contesting
party is given hereunder:
|
Name of the party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Akali Dal |
1,03,909 |
31.24 |
|
Independents |
76,551 |
23.01 |
|
Congress |
68,879 |
20.71 |
|
Communist |
23,338 |
7.02 |
|
Jan Sangh |
19,210 |
5.77 |
|
Scheduled
Castes Federation |
12,842 |
3.86 |
|
Forward Bloc |
9,695 |
2.91 |
|
Lal Communist Party |
9,038 |
2.71 |
|
Socialist |
8,665 |
2.61 |
|
Depressed Classes league |
533 |
|
|
Total
|
3,32,660 |
100.00 |
PEPSU Legislative Assembly Constituencies
There were 2 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies consisting of
3 Seats now forming the part of the district viz. Faridkot and Kot Kapura-Jaito
(double member).
Second
General Elections to the pepsu Legislative
Assembly, 1954. – The First General Elections
to the Normally the Assembly should have had a term of five years in accordance
with the provisions of Article 172 (1) of the Constitution. The Legislative
Assembly of the PEPSU was dissolved on 4 March 1953, by the President under
Article 356 of the Constitution. The President assumed to himself all functions
of the President assumed to himself al functions of the Government and powers
vested in or exercisable by the Rajparmukh of the State. Para (c) (iv) of the
proclamation announced that general elections for constituting a new
Legislative Assembly for the State would be held as soon as possible after the
would be held as soon as possible after the Delimitation Commission had finally
delimited the constituencies for elections to the Legislative Assembly of the
State. The Delimitation Commission delimited the constituencies on the basis of
the population figures of the 1951 Census. The report of the Delimitation
Commission containing the delimitation of constituencies in the PEPSU was
published on 15 September 1953 and the general elections to the Vidhan Sabha of
the erstwhile PEPSU were held in February 1954.
PEPSU Legislative Assembly Constituencies
Faridkot, Kot Kapura and Jaito now form part of the Faridkot District. From these constituencies, 2 Congress and 1 Independent candidate were declared elected. The total number of electors in these constituencies was 1,00,470. The total number of valid votes polled by each of the contesting parties was as under:
|
Name of the party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Indian
National Congress |
26,660 |
39.11 |
|
Akali
Dal (Master Group) |
18,696 |
27.43 |
|
Independents
|
18,408 |
27.00 |
|
Akali
Dal (Roman Group) |
4,404 |
6.46
|
|
Total |
68,168 |
100.00 |
Second
General Elections, 1957. – By virtue of the
State Reorganisation Act 1956, the erstwhile States of Punjab and the PEPSU
were merged into one and the new State of Punjab (after merger) came into
existence on 1 November 1956. Before merger the Legislative Assemblies of
Punjab and PEPSU States had 126 and 60 seats respectively. On the amalgamation
of Vidhan Sabhas of these States, the strength of the Vidhan Sabha of two
States was 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 of the new
State 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 the single eye or in a very few
cases, in two days, instead of being spread over a number of days. The counting
of polled votes was also taken-up from the next day of polling.
Lok Sabha Constituency
At the time of Second General Elections, Faridkot was a tahsil of the
Bathinda District. The area now forming Faridkot District had no Parliamentary
Constituency. The present area of the Faridkot District was attached to three
Parliamentary Constituencies viz. Firozpur (Muktsar Tahsil), Ludhiana (Moga
Tahsil, Faridkot Kanungo Circle and Patwar Circle Nos. 1 to 9 and 16 in Kot
Kapura Kanungo Circle in Faridkot Tahsil of Bathinda District) and Bathinda
(Faridkot Tahsil of Bathinda District) and Bathinda (Faridkot Tahsil of
Bathinda District excluding Faridkot Kanungo Circle and patwar Circles Nos. 1
to 9 and 16 in Kot Kapura Kanungo Circle in Faridkot Tahsil).
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies
The area now forming Faridkot District had 6 Vidhan Sabha
Constituencies consisting of 8 seats (including 2 double member
constituencies), viz. Malaut (one reserved for the members of Scheduled
Castes), Muktsar, Moga, Bagha Purana (one reserved for the members of Scheduled
Castes), Faridkot and Jaito. From these constituencies 7 congress and 1
Independent candidates were declared elected. The total number of electors in
these constituencies was 7,46,009. The total number valid votes polled by each
contesting party was as under:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Indian National Congress |
2,51,953 |
53.34 |
|
Communist |
1,21,778 |
25.78 |
|
Independents |
81,054 |
17.16 |
|
Jan Sangh |
17,571 |
3.72 |
|
Total |
4,72,356 |
100.00 |
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 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 Kulu and Seraj (now in Himachal Pradesh) constituencies where
on account of the areas being snow bound and inaccessible, the poll was
deferred 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.
In 1961, the Parliament passed the Two-member Constituencies
(Abolition) Act and abolished the double member constituencies for the
Legislative Assemblies as well as for the House of the People. Under the Act,
the Election Commission was empowered to divided the double member
constituencies into single member constituencies, delimit the extent besides
reserving seats for the members of the Scheduled Castes.
As a result of the delimitation of constituencies, Faridkot District
had only one Parliamentary Constituency viz. Moga and 8 Vidhan Sabha
constituencies. The task of holding elections was completed on 24 February
throughout the State successfully and strictly according to the schedule. The
counting of votes with respect to assembly counting of votes with respect to
assembly constituencies was started on 25 February and completed on 28 February
1962 through out the State except two constituencies viz. Kulu and Seraj (Now
in Himachal Pradesh).
Lok Sabha Constituency
The area of present Faridkot District had only one Parliamentary
Constituency viz. Moga. The rest of the area was distributed among the
Parliamentary Constituencies viz. Bathinda (Jaito) Firozpur (Muktsar, Malaut
and Lambi). From Moga Constituency Akali Dal candidate was declared elected.
The total number of electors in the constituency was 4,59,407 and the total
number of valid votes polled was 3,11,705. The number of valid votes poled in
favour of each contesting party was as under:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Akali Dal |
1,71,081 |
54.89 |
|
Congress |
1,80,624 |
45.11 |
|
Total |
3,11,705 |
100.00 |
Punjab Vidhan
Sabha Constituencies
The area which now forms part of the Faridkot District had 8 Vidhan
Sabha Constituencies (including 2 reserved for the Scheduled Castes) viz.
Jaito, Faridkot, Muktsar, Malaut, Lambi (Scheduled Castes), Moga, Bagha Purana
(Scheduled Castes) and Nihalsinghwala. From these constituencies, 5 Congress, 2
Communist and 1 Akali Dal candidates were declared elected. The total number on
electors in these constituencies was 5,95,351. The number of valid votes polled
by each contesting party is given hereunder:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Congress |
1,76,862 |
45.27 |
|
Akali Dal |
1,16,676 |
29.86 |
|
Communist |
66,065 |
16.91 |
|
Jan Sangh |
14,866 |
3.81 |
|
Independents |
11,945 |
3.06 |
|
Republican |
3,406 |
0.87 |
|
Swatantra |
873 |
0.22 |
|
Total |
3,90,693 |
100.00 |
Fourth General
Elections, 1967. – Punjab was reorganized on 1
November 1966. Fourth General Elections were held in the country as well as in the
new State of Punjab immediately after the reorganization of Punjab. The
Delimitation Commission delimited the Parliamentary and Vidhan Sabha
Constituencies. According to the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Vidhan Sabha
Constituencies Order, 1966, the area which then formed part of the Faridkot
District was part of three parliamentary and 9 Vidhan Sabha 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.
Lok Sabha Constituency
Faridkot had no Parliamentary Constituency in 1967 General Elections.
Its area was distributed among three Parliamentary Constituencies viz. Fazilka (Muktsar,
Giddarbaha, Malaut, Lambi and Faridkot), Firozpur (Nihalsinghwala, Moga and
Bagha Purana) and Bathinda (Kot Kapura).
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies
The area which now forms Faridkot District had 9 Vidhan Sabha
Constituencies (including 5 reserved for the members of the Scheduled Castes)
viz. Muktsar (Scheduled Castes), Giddarbaha, Malaut, Lambi (Scheduled Castes),
Nihalsinghwala (Scheduled Castes), Moga, Bagha Purana (Scheduled Castes), Kot
Kapura and Faridkot (Schedule Castes). From these constituencies 4 Akali Dal, 4
Congress and 1 Communist Party of India candidates were declared elected. The
total number of electors in these constituencies was 5,53,374 and the total
number of valid votes polled 3,70,448. The total number of valid votes polled
in favour of each contesting party is given hereunder:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Congress |
1,34,209 |
36.23 |
|
Akali Dal (Sant) |
1,23,899 |
33.45 |
|
Independents |
38,648 |
10.43 |
|
Communist Party of India |
48,721 |
7.75 |
|
Jan Sangh |
23,945 |
6.46 |
|
Samyukta Socialist party |
11,433 |
3.09 |
|
Akali Dal (Master Group) |
7,376 |
2.00 |
|
Republican Party of India |
1,744 |
0.47 |
|
Swatantra Party |
473 |
0.12 |
|
Total |
3,70,448 |
100.00 |
Midterm Poll 1969.- During the Fourth General Elections 1967 no single
party had absolute majority in the Vidhan Sabha. The political parties viz. The
akali Dal (Sant Group), the Jan Sangh, the Republican Party 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. 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 midterm general elections to constitute a new
Vidhan Sabha.
The poll throughout the State was held on a single (9 February 1969).
The counting was started on 10 February and completed on 11 February.
During the midterm general elections also, the present area of the Faridkot
District had 9 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies viz. Muktsar (Scheduled Castes),
Giddarbaha, Malaut, Lambi (Scheduled Castes) Nihalsnghwala (Scheduled Castes),
Moga, Bagha Purana, Kot Kapura and Faridkot (Scheduled Castes). From these
constituencies, 4 Akali Dal (Sant), 3 Congress 1 Samyukta Socialist Party and 1
Communist party of India candidates were declared elected. The total number of
electors in these constituencies was 6,01,265 out of which 4,27,671 voted. The
total number of valid votes polled by each contesting party was as under:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
1,77,870 |
41.59 |
|
|
Akali Dal (Sant) |
1,59,805 |
37.37 |
|
|
Communist party of India |
34,683 |
8.11 |
|
|
Independents |
21,835 |
5.11 |
|
|
Samyukta Socialist Party |
19,878 |
4.65 |
|
|
Bahujan Samaj Party |
11,385 |
2.66 |
|
|
Republican Party of India |
931 |
0.22 |
|
|
Republican Party Ambedkar |
927 |
0.21 |
|
|
Swatantra Party |
357 |
0.08 |
|
|
|
Total |
4,27,671 |
100.00 |
Bye-Election to the Lambi Punjab Legislative Assembly Constituency 1969. – Election to the Lambi Assembly Constituency was held on 2 March 1969. It was necessitated due to the demise of a contesting candidate. The election to this constituency was countermanded under Section 52 of the Representation of People Act, 1951. The total number of electors in the constituency was 62,300. From this constituency Communist Party of India candidate was declared elected. The total number of valid votes polled in favour of each of the contesting parties in given hereunder:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Communist Party of India |
15,714 |
41.72 |
|
Jan Sangh |
11,385 |
30.23 |
|
Congress |
9,791 |
26.00 |
|
Independents |
417 |
1.10 |
|
Swatantra Party |
357 |
0.95 |
|
Total |
37,664 |
100.00 |
Fifth General Elections to
the Lok Sabha, 1971. – The Fifth General
Elections to the Lok Sabha were held in March 1971. The present area of the
Faridkot District had no parliamentary Constituency. Its area was attached to
three Parliamentary Constituencies viz. Fazilka, Firozpur and Bathinda
(Scheduled Castes).
Fifth General Elections to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 1972. – These elections were the result of 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 wee held during emergency which was declared in the country during emergency which was declared in the country due to Indo-Pak conflict in 1971. The poll throughout the State was completed on 13 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 alonghwith counterfoil attached to it. 9 Vidhan Sabha constituencies which now form part of Faridkot District were, Muktsar (Scheduled Castes), Giddarbaha, Malaut, Lambi (Scheduled Castes), Giddarbaha, Malaut, lambi (Scheduled Castes), Nihalsinghwala (Scheduled Castes) Moga, Bagha Purana, Kot Kapura and Faridkot (Scheduled Castes). From these constituencies, 4 Congress, 3 Shiromani Akali Dal and 2 Communist Party of India candidates were declared elected. The total number of electors in these constituencies was 6,43,169, out of which 4,34,613 voted. The total number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party was as under:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Shiromani Akali Dal |
1,97,495 |
45.44 |
|
Indian National Congress |
1,65,158 |
38.00 |
|
Communist party of India |
43,180 |
9.94 |
|
Independents |
28,322 |
6.52 |
|
Swantantra Party |
458 |
0.10 |
|
Total |
4,34,613 |
100.00 |
Sixth General Elections
to the Lok Sabha, 1977. – 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 and its term stood
extend to 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 janata Party was
voted into office by an overwhelming majority of electorates in the northern
States.
The Lok Sabha poll throughout the State except Firozpur Constituency
was held on a single day on 16 March 1977 and the poll to the Punjab Vidhan
Sabha was also held on a single day (except Anandpur Sabib Constituency) on 12
June 1977. 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.
There was only one Lok Sabha Constituency in the district viz.
Faridkot. The total number of electors in the district was 6,46,094. The
Shiromani Akali Dal candidate won the seat. The total number of valid votes
polled in favour of each contesting party in the district was as under:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Shiromani Akali Dal |
2,82,713 |
58.86 |
|
Indian National Congress |
1,82,012 |
38.44 |
|
Independents |
12,822 |
2.70 |
|
Total |
4,77,547 |
100.00 |
Sixth General Elections
to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 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. However, as it was also dissolved on 30 April 1977, the general
election was held earlier.
The Lok Sabha Elections of 1977 were not accompanied by elections to
the State assemblies, whose terms of office in most cases were due to expire in
1978. The Janata Government 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 were held on 12 June
1977 and completed on the same day. In the elections to the Vidhan Sabha, the
Akali Dal and the Janata Party obtained majority of votes defeating the
Congress. Consequently on 20 June 1977 the Akali Janata combine formed a
coalition Government in the Punjab.
There were 10 Vidhan Sabha constituencies in the district viz. Moga,
Bagha Purana, Nihalsinghwala (Scheduled Castes), Panjgirain (Scheduled Castes)
Kot Kapura, Faridkot, Muktsar, Giddarbaha, Malaut (Scheduled Castes) and Lambi.
The total number of electors in the district was 7,68,002. From these
constituencies 7 Shiromani Akali Dal, 1 Janta Party, 1 Indian National Congress
and 1 Communist Party of India candidates were declared elected.
The total number of valid votes polled by each contesting party is given below:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Shiromani Akali Dal |
2,61,362 |
51.43 |
|
Indian National Congress |
1,42,067 |
27.96 |
|
Communist party of India |
47,484 |
9.35 |
|
Janata party |
28,538 |
5.63 |
|
Independents |
28,538 |
5.63 |
|
Total |
5,08,103 |
100.00 |