The establishment of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s Parliament, marks a pivotal moment in the country’s democratic journey. The inaugural formation of the Lok Sabha, also known as the House of the People, occurred on April 17, 1952. This significant event followed the first general elections held in independent India, which saw millions of citizens exercise their right to vote and participate in shaping the nation’s governance.
With the constitution of the Lok Sabha, India embarked on a path of representative democracy, laying the foundation for robust legislative processes and inclusive decision-making at the highest levels of government.
Let’s Learn About The Background
India’s first Lok Sabha was established after the country’s initial general elections, which took place from October 1951 to February 1952. The elections saw a voter turnout of 45%, with approximately 17.3 crore eligible voters participating. The Indian National Congress emerged as the dominant party, securing 364 seats out of the total 489 contested seats.
Key Details
- Constitution Date: 17 April 1952
- Duration: The First Lok Sabha lasted its full term of five years and was dissolved on 4 April 1957.
- Prime Minister: Jawaharlal Nehru was elected as the Prime Minister and also served as the Leader of the House.
- Speaker: Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar was the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha until February 1956.
- Deputy Speaker: M. A. Ayyangar served as the first Deputy Speaker.
- Secretary-General: M. N. Kaul held the position of Secretary-General during this period.
India’s inaugural Lok Sabha played a crucial role in shaping the country’s democratic framework and governance structure, setting the stage for future parliamentary proceedings and legislative actions.