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1972 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election
Legislative Assembly elections were held in the Indian state of West Bengal on March 11, 1972.[1] BackgroundThe election was the 4th assembly election in West Bengal within six years.[2] In the previous assembly election held last year, Ajoy Mukherjee of Bangla Congress became the chief minister with support of the INC(R) & the United Left Democratic Front (an alliance of CPI, AIFB, SSP rebels, PSP, BPI - Barada Mukutmoni faction, RCPI - Anadi Das faction & AIGL). President's Rule had been introduced on 29 June 1971 due to fallout of the Congress(R) (with which the Bangla Congress had merged) with the ULDF.[2] ContendersThere were two main fronts in the election; the alliance between the Congress(R) and CPI and the alliance led by CPI(M).[3] The Congress(R)-CPI alliance was known as the Progressive Democratic Alliance.[4] The PDA had a seven-point programme.[5] At the time of the election Indira Gandhi's popularity peaked, with the victory in the Bangladesh Liberation War and electoral promises of land reform.[3] The CPI had also gained significant prestige in West Bengal due to the Soviet support to the Bangladeshi cause in the war.[6] The CPI(M)-led alliance included RSP, SUCI(C), RCPI, MFB, WPI, the Biplobi Bangla Congress and some independents.[3] Just before the vote there was a seat-sharing arrangement between the CPI(M)-led alliance and the AIFB.[3] A minor third front, the West Bengal Democratic Alliance, was led by the Congress (O) and included Sushil Kumar Dhara's Bangla Congress faction, the SSP rebels and the Indian Awami League.[3] ResultsThe Congress(R)-CPI alliance won an overwhelming majority in the assembly and formed a new state government, led by Siddhartha Shankar Ray.[4][7] Several Indian Youth Congress leaders were found among the newly elected legislators.[5] 14 CPI(M) candidates were declared elected, but they refused to participate in the Legislative Assembly during the period of 1972-1977 as they accused that the elections had been rigged.[5]
Results by constituency
ReceptionWhile there were several killings during the election campaign, electoral violence had declined compared to previous elections in West Bengal.[4] The elections were marred by accusations of rigging.[10][11] CPI(M) and its allies refused to accept the election result.[12] The left parties argued that in 172 constituencies the election had not been free and fair, accusing the Congress(R) of letting loose 'semi-fascist terror' in West Bengal.[10] They protested by interrupting the President's speech in the Lok Sabha and in the Rajya Sabha.[10] The Congress(O) also made accusations of rigging.[11] The former Chief Minister Prafulla Chandra Sen on the other hand alleged that the election had been rigged in at least 45 constituencies.[10] References
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