Page 56 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Leap of Faith Journey of Indian Elections

Prior to the elec ons as many as 29 poli cal par es had
demanded the status of ‘na onal party’. A decision was
made to grant the status to only 14 of them. However, the
elec on results proved sobering for most of them. Thus
on February 6, 1953 only four were permi ed to retain
that status. These were –
a) The Indian Na onal Congress
b) The Praja Socialist Party (formed by merger of
Designs approved by the Election Commission as symbols:
Socialist Party and Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party)
c) Communist Party of India (CPI) and Top Row (left to right): Congress, Socialist Party, Forward Bloc,
Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party
d) All India Bhara ya Jana Sangh
2ⁿ Row (left to rigtht): Communist Party,
The overall vo ng percentage was 51.55, which was Revolutionary Socialist Party, Krishikar Lok Party, Jana Sangh
perceived as 'by no means unsa sfactory'.

A woman voter showing her identification to a poll official in New Delhi

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