1957 Kerala Legislative Assembly election

1957 Kerala Legislative Assembly election
← 1954
(Travancore–Cochin)
← 1952
(Madras)		 28 February – 11 March 1957 1960 →
All 126 seats in the Kerala Legislative Assembly
64 seats needed for a majority
Turnout65.49%
  First party Second party
 
Leader E. M. S. Namboodiripad P. T. Chacko
Party CPI INC
Leader's seat Nileshwaram Vazhoor
Seats won 60 43
Popular vote 20,59,547 22,09,251
Percentage 35.28% 37.85%
Chief Minister before election

Position established

 Chief Minister

E. M. S. Namboodiripad
Communist Party of India

The Kerala Legislative Assembly election of 1957 was the first assembly election in the Indian state of Kerala. The Communist Party of India won the election with 60 seats. The election led to the formation of first democratically elected communist government in India.[1] The election also made Kerala as the first state to elect a Non-Congress party in the country.[2]

State reorganisation

[edit]

On 1 November 1956, under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, Kerala was formed by the merger of Travancore-Cochin state with the Malabar district (including Fort Cochin and the Laccadive Islands) of Madras State, Kasaragod taluk of the South Canara district and the Amindive Islands. The southern part of Travancore-Cochin, the five taluks of Agastheeswaram, Thovala, Kalkulam, Vilavahcode, and Shencotta, were transferred from Travancore-Cochin to the Madras State.[3] After the reorganization, the assembly constituencies increased from 106 with 117 seats in 1954 to 114 with 126 seats in 1957.

Background

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Following the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, the Malabar District of Madras state merged with Travancore-Cochin to form the new state of Kerala on 1 November 1956. The merger helped the Communist Party of India to increase their base in the region.[4] The ruling Indian National Congress lost the prominence due to the factionalism within the party.[citation needed] Furthermore, communalism and struggles against feudalism played a major role.[4][5]

Election

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The Election Commission of India conducted elections to the newly created state between 28 February – 11 March 1957.[6] The elections were held to the 126 seats (114 constituencies) including 12 two member constituencies of which 11 and one reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes respectively, in which 406 candidates were contested. The voter turnout was 65.49%.[7]

Results

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The result of the elections listed below:

Summary of results of the 1957 Kerala Legislative Assembly election[8]
Party Flag Seats
Contested		 Won % of
Seats 		Votes Vote % Vote % in
contested seats
Indian National Congress INC_Flag_Official 124 43 34.13 2,209,251 37.85 38.1
Communist Party of India 101 60 47.62 2,059,547 35.28 40.57
Praja Socialist Party 65 9 7.14 628,261 10.76 17.48
Revolutionary Socialist Party 28 0 188,553 3.23 11.12
Independent politician 86 14 11.11 751,965 12.88 N/A
Total seats 126 Voters 89,13,247 Turnout 58,37,577 (65.49%)

In the election, five women candidates were elected out of nine candidates.[7][9]

By Constituency

[edit]
Assembly Constituency Winner Runner
No. Constituency Name Category Name Party Vote Name Party Vote
1 Parassala GEN Kunjukrishnan Nadar M. INC 16,742 Krishna Pillai K PSP 8,338
2 Neyyattinkara GEN Janardhanan Nair O. CPI 18,812 Krishna Pillai N. K. PSP 16,558
3 Vilappil GEN Sreedhar G. Ponnara PSP 18,221 Surendranath K. V. CPI 14,278
4 Nemom GEN Sadasivan A. CPI 15,998 Viswambharan P. PSP 14,159
5 Trivandrum I GEN Eapan E. P. PSP 15,466 Krishnan Nair K. Independent 13,418
6 Trivandrum II GEN Thanu Pillai A. PSP 21,816 Anirudhan K. CPI 17,082
7 Ullur GEN Sreedharan V. CPI 16,904 Alikunju Sastri M. PSP 14,182
8 Arianad GEN Balakrishna Pillai R. CPI 16,728 Kesavan Nair R. INC 6,987
9 Nedumangad GEN Neelakandaru Pandarathil N. CPI 20,553 Somasekharan Nair K PSP 7,888
10 Attingal GEN Prakasam R. CPI 24,328 Gopala Pillai PSP 11,151
11 Varkala (SC) Abdul Majeed T. A. CPI 41,683 Sivadasan K. CPI 31,454
12 Eravipuram GEN Raveendran CPI 19,122 Kunju Sankara Pillai V. PSP 8,762
13 Quilon GEN A. A. Rahim INC 20,367 Divakaran T. K RSP 12,571
14 Thrikkadavur (SC) Karunakaran K. CPI 33,782 T. Krishnan INC 32,596
15 Karunagappally GEN Kunjukrishnan P. INC 13,709 P. K. Kunju PSP 13,063
16 Krishnapuram GEN Karthikeyan G. CPI 23,963 Sekhara Panicker K. INC 14,493
17 Kayamkulam GEN Aysha Bai K. O. CPI 27,067 Sarojini INC 13,138
18 Karthigapally GEN Sugathan R. CPI 20,978 Velu Pillai G. INC 14,887
19 Haripad GEN Ramakrishna Pillai V. Independent 20,184 K. Balagangadharan INC 15,812
20 Mavelikara GEN Kunjachan P. K. CPI 44,630 K. C. George CPI 39,617
21 Kunnathur (SC) Madhavan Pillai P. R. CPI 41,569 Govindan R. CPI 37,321
22 Kottarakkara (SC) Chandrasekharan Nair E. CPI 23,298 Ramachandran Nair K. INC 14,307
23 Chadayamangalam GEN Bhargavan K. CPI 19,375 Abdul Majeed M. PSP 9,143
24 Pathanapuram GEN Rajagopalan Nair CPI 24,499 Kuttan Pillai K. INC 14,440
25 Punalur GEN Gopalan P. CPI 20,455 Kunjuraman Assan K. INC 16,366
26 Ranni GEN Idicula INC 23,308 Thomas Mathew Independent 20,722
27 Pathanamthitta GEN Bhaskara Pillai P. CPI 29,001 Chacko (Geevarghese) N. G. INC 21,353
28 Aranmula GEN Gopinathan Pillai K. INC 18,895 Vasudevan N. C. CPI 18,630
29 Kallooppara GEN M. M. Mathai INC 17,874 N. T. George CPI 10,843
30 Thiruvalla GEN G. Padmanabhan Thampi CPI 22,978 Kuruvila Thomas T. INC 20,347
31 Chengannur GEN Sankaranarayanan Thampi R. CPI 19,538 Saraswathi Amma K. INC 13,546
32 Alleppey GEN Thomas T. V. CPI 26,542 Nafeesa Beevi A. INC 22,278
33 Mararikulam GEN Sadasivan C. G. CPI 28,153 Joseph Mathen INC 18,350
34 Sherthala GEN K. R. Gouri CPI 26,088 A. Subramonian Pillai INC 22,756
35 Aroor GEN P. S. Karthikeyan INC 23,956 Avira Tharakan Independent 22,296
36 Thakazhi GEN Thomas John INC 21,940 Varghese Vaidlian T. K. CPI 16,480
37 Changanacherry GEN Kalyanakrishnan Nair M. CPI 22,539 Raghavan Pillai P. INC 19,693
38 Vazhoor GEN Chacko P. T. INC 20,102 Raghava Kurup N. CPI 20,022
39 Kanjirappally GEN Thomas K. T. INC 14,896 Joseph PSP 12,893
40 Puthuppally GEN P. C. Cherian INC 20,396 George E. M. CPI 19,000
41 Kottayam GEN Bhaskaran Nair P. CPI 23,021 Govindhan Nair M. P. INC 20,750
42 Ettumanoor GEN Joseph George INC 21,423 Gopala Pillai C. S. CPI 19,930
43 Meenachil GEN Joseph P. M. INC 20,126 Thomas Mathai Independent 13,462
44 Vaikom GEN K. R. Narayanan INC 25,818 C. K. Viswanathan CPI 25,164
45 Kaduthuruthy GEN M. C. Abraham INC 22,365 Kurian Kurian Independent 13,552
46 Ramamangalam GEN E. P. Poulose INC 20,086 Parameswaran Nair CPI 13,588
47 Muvattupuzha GEN K. M. George INC 16,820 Kuruvilla Mattai (Mathew) CPI 14,993
48 Devicolam (SC) Rosamma Punnose CPI 33,809 Ganapathy N. INC 31,887
Bye Polls in 1958 Bye Polls in 1958 R. Punnose COM 55,819 B. Nair INC 48,730
49 Thodupuzha GEN Mathew C. A. INC 22,149 Narayanan Nair K CPI 11,680
50 Karikode GEN Kusuman Joseph INC 14,669 Augustine Ouseph Independent 12,084
51 Poonjar GEN Thomman T. A. INC 21,279 Chacko Vallikkappan (Jocob) CPI 9,045
52 Puliyannur GEN K. M. Joseph Chazhicatt PSP 18,605 Prof.K.MChandy INC 17,915
53 Palluruthy GEN Alexander Parambithar INC 23,666 Gangadharan P. CPI 19,848
54 Mattancherry GEN Viswanathan K. K. INC 19,106 Aboo T. M CPI 13,046
55 Narakkal GEN K. C. Abraham INC 24,253 K. K. Ramakrishnan CPI 22,321
56 Ernakulam GEN Jacob A. L. INC 23,857 V. Ramankutty Menon CPI 18,172
57 Kanayannur GEN Ramakrishnan T. K. CPI 21,292 Joseph A. V. INC 17,506
58 Alwaye GEN T. O. Bava INC 23,707 Varkey M. C. Independent 21,142
59 Perumbavoor GEN Govinda Pillai P. CPI 21,679 K. A. Damodara Menon INC 20,780
60 Kothakulangara GEN Anthony M. A. INC 24,133 A. P. Kurian CPI 15,246
61 Parur GEN Sivan Pillai N. CPI 19,997 K. I. Mathew INC 17,909
62 Vadakkekara GEN Balan K. A. CPI 23,385 Vijayan K. R. INC 17,844
63 Cranganore GEN E. Gopalakrishna Menon CPI 20,385 Kunju Moideen A. K. INC 18,894
64 Chalakkudy (SC) P. K. Chathan CPI 43,454 C. J. Jenardhanan PSP 42,997
65 Irinjalakuda GEN Achutha Menon C. CPI 24,140 K. T. Achuthan INC 21,480
66 Manalur GEN Mundassery Joseph CPI 23,350 Sukumaran INC 21,355
67 Trichur GEN A. R. Menon Independent 23,531 Karunakaran K. INC 21,045
68 Ollur GEN Paranchu R. INC 15,994 Raghavan V. CPI 15,915
69 Kunnamkulam GEN Krishnan T. K. CPI 21,161 Velayudhan K. I. INC 18,788
70 Wadakkanchery (SC) Ayyappan C. C. CPI 33,161 Kochukuttan K INC 28,895
71 Nattika GEN Achuthan K. S. INC 23,594 Gopalakrishnan P. K. CPI 22,039
72 Guruvayoor GEN Koru Kooliyat Independent 16,722 Abubaker M. V. INC 14,087
73 Andathodu GEN Kolady Govindan Kutty Menon CPI 14,229 Karunakara Menon K. G. INC 12,495
74 Ponnani (SC) Kunhambu Kallayan INC 22,784 Kunhan Eliyath Tharayil CPI 20,535
75 Kuzhalmannam GEN John Kuduvakkotte Independent 19,437 Kesava Menon T.P. INC 14,689
76 Alathur GEN Krishnan R. CPI 19,203 Vaitheeswara Iyer P. S. INC 13,317
77 Chittur (SC) Balachandra Menon P. CPI 23,995 Eacharan K. INC 22,062
78 Elapully GEN Ramankutty A. K. CPI 16,768 Sankaran C. C. INC 11,560
79 Palghat GEN Raghava Menon R. INC 14,873 Kunhiraman M. P. CPI 14,248
80 Parli GEN Narayanakutty C. K. CPI 21,627 Gopalakrishnan Nair K. INC 13,996
81 Mannarghat GEN Krishna Menon K. CPI 13,375 Kochunny Nair K. C. INC 9,665
82 Perinthalmanna GEN Govindan Nambiar CPI 13,248 Pookoya Thangal Haji P. V. Independent 9,398
83 Ottapalam GEN Kunhunni Nayar CPI 16,157 Sundara Iyer N. INC 15,248
84 Pattambi GEN Gopalan Erasseri Patinharethil CPI 17,447 Padamanabha Menon K. P. INC 9,793
85 Mankada GEN Mohammad Kodur Valia Peedikakkal Independent 11,854 Mohammad Malavattath INC 8,338
86 Tirur GEN Moideenkutty Hajee K. Independent 15,404 Alikutty P. P. INC 13,231
87 Tanur GEN Muhammed Koya C. H. Independent 16,787 Assanar Kutty T. INC 11,520
88 Kuttippuram GEN Ahamedkutty C. Independent 15,495 Moideenkutty P. K. INC 10,424
89 Thirurangady GEN Ayukkadarkutty Nahak Independent 17,622 Kunhalikutty Haji A. INC 16,670
90 Malappuram GEN Hassan Gani K. Independent 17,214 Saidalavi P. INC 12,243
91 Manjeri (SC) Ummer Koya P. P. INC 30,860 Chadayan M. Independent 29,101
92 Kondotty GEN Ahammad Kurikkal M. P. M. Independent 18,981 Abubakar Kolakadan INC 11,866
93 Kozhikode I GEN Sarada Krishnan INC 17,388 Manjunatha Rao H. CPI 16,079
94 Kozhikode I I GEN Kumaran P. INC 18,586 E. Janardhanan Independent 11,211
95 Chevayur GEN Balagopalan A. INC 20,683 Raghavan Nair CPI 17,319
96 Kunnamangalam GEN Leela Damodara Menon INC 13,598 Chathunni Ottayil K. CPI 11,814
97 Koduvally GEN Gopalankutty Nair M. INC 19,377 Muhammedkutty C. Independent 15,950
98 Balusseri GEN Narayana Kurup M. PSP 15,789 Raghavan Nair E. INC 11,536
99 Quilandy GEN Kunhiraman Nambiar PSP 19,668 Achuthan Nair P. INC 16,622
100 Perambra GEN Kumaran Madathil CPI 17,838 Madhavan Nair T K. INC 15,827
101 Badagara GEN Kelu Mandoti Kuniyil CPI 17,123 Krishnan PSP 15,448
102 Nadapuram GEN Kanaran C. H. CPI 18,533 Kunhammad Haji V. K. INC 15,177
103 Wynad (SC) Kunjikrishnan Nair N. K. INC 31,993 Madura INC 29,296
104 Kuthuparamba GEN Ramunny Kurup PSP 21,540 Madhavan P. K. CPI 14,858
105 Mattannur GEN Balaram N. E. CPI 23,540 Kunhiraman Nair INC 13,089
106 Tellicherry GEN Krishna Iyer V. R. Independent 27,318 Kunhiraman P. INC 15,234
107 Cannanore I GEN Kannan Chaliyoth CPI 17,464 Gopalan Othayoth INC 17,413
108 Cannanore II GEN Gopalan K. P. CPI 21,493 Madhavan Pamban INC 18,776
109 Madayi GEN Gopalan Nambiar K. P. R. CPI 24,390 T. Narayanan Nambiar INC 12,169
110 Rikkur GEN Narayanan Nambiar T. C. CPI 24,518 Narayanan Nambissan INC 11,052
111 Nileswar (SC) Kallalan CPI 44,754 Namboodiripad E. M. S. CPI 38,090
112 Hosdrug GEN Chandraskharan K. PSP 14,150 Madhavan K. CPI 11,209
113 Kasaragod GEN Kunhikrishan Nair Cheripady INC 10,290 Narayanan Nambiar PSP 10,096
114 Manjeshwar GEN M. Umesh Rao Independent Uncontested

[10]

Government formation

[edit]

Communist Party of India formed the government with the support of five independents.[11] On 5 April 1957, E. M. S. Namboodiripad became the chief minister of Kerala and first non–Congress chief minister of the country (PSP ruled Travencore Cochin state before). But the government was dismissed in 1959 by the central government following the Liberation Struggle.[12]

See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ James Manor (1994). Nehru to the Nineties: The Changing Office of Prime Minister in India. C. Hurst & Co. Publishers. p. 210. ISBN 978-1-85065-180-2.
  2. ^ James Manor (1994). Nehru to the Nineties: The Changing Office of Prime Minister in India. C. Hurst & Co. Publishers. p. 210. ISBN 978-1-85065-180-2.
  3. ^ "Reorganisation of States - The Approach and Arrangements" (PDF). The Economic Weekly. 7 (42). 15 October 1955. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b P Radhakrishnan. Peasant Struggles, Land Reforms and Social Change: Malabar 1836–1982. Radhakrishnan. p. 71. ISBN 978-1-906083-16-8.
  5. ^ Communal Road to a Secular Kerala. Concept Publishing Company. 1 January 1989. p. 145. ISBN 978-81-7022-282-8.
  6. ^ "History of Kerala Legislature". kerala.gov.in. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Key highlights of General election, 1957 to the legislative assembly of Kerala" (pdf). Election Commission of India. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  8. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 1957 : To the Legislative Assembly of Kerala". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Only 7 women make it to Kerala state Assembly". Economic Times. 16 May 2011. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  10. ^ "Kerala Assembly Election Results in 1957". www.elections.in. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  11. ^ Thomas Johnson Nossiter (1 January 1982). Communism in Kerala: A Study in Political Adaptation. University of California Press. pp. 122–123. ISBN 978-0-520-04667-2.
  12. ^ "Fresh light on 'Liberation Struggle'". The Hindu. 12 February 2008. Archived from the original on 2 March 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
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