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| Phases
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1888-1947 |
1947-1956
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Abstention
Movement |
First
Election after
Independence |
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| The
State of Kerala, renowned for its political maturity and progressiveness,
has inherited and developed democratic traditions and ethos through
consistent records of legislative innovations. The history of the
making and shaping of the Kerala Legislative Assembly,proves the
march, which Kerala has stolen over many other States of India.
An analytical glance into the evolution of the Legislative Assembly
of Kerala indicates different phases of development, matching the
social, political and economic changes over the years. The unfolding
evolutionary cycle ranges from the parallel but heterogeneous courses
of development in the erstwhile Princely States of Travancore and
Cochin and British Malabar, to the uniform progress in the integrated
State of Kerala.
The Phases
Successive doses of changes have been rejuvenating the transition
of a small advisory Council to the constitutionally sanctioned law
making body of Kerala, through manifestations of structural and
functional transformation, spreading across different phases, which
could be classified chronologically on the basis of apparently similar
socio-political configuration of the respective periods, as:
1.1888-1947
2.1947-1956
3.1956-1996
4.1996-2001
Pre-Independence
Period (1888-1947)
The seed for a legislative body was sown in Travancore, when in
January 1888, the Dewan T.Ram Rao proposed to the Maharaja, the
organisation of a Legislative Council so that "the Dewan would gain
the benefit of discussing with and taking the opinion of responsible
officers associated with him in matters of legislation, one of the
most important functions of Government". This proposal was readily
approved by Sri Mulam Thirunal Maharaja and a regulation was passed
on 30th March, 1888, creating a Legislative Council, of three year
tenure, and composed of 8 members of whom 6 were to be officials
and 2 non-officials nominated by the Maharaja. The Dewan was to
preside over the meetings.
The
inaugural meeting of the Legislative Council was held at 12.00 noon,
on the 23rd of August 1888 (Thursday), in the Dewan's room. In the
First Council (1888-1891), there were 32 sittings. Although the
bills passed were recommendatory in nature, the number came to 9.
The Select Committee constituted to study and report on the bills
introduced,marked the origin of the Committee System. Being the
primogenitor, this Legislative Council, though not truly democratic
was a bold step.
Creative and enlightened responses, the natural outcome of the experiences
with the Representative council, unleashed a popular agitation,
which got expressed through the signing of the 'Malayali Memorial'
in 1891, for increased representation. The Second Council(1891-1894)
had 27 sittings, whereas the Third Council(1894-1897) in which 11
bills were passed, had 22 sittings.
By a Resolution passed in 1898, the strength of the Council was
raised to 15, out of which 9 officials and 6 non-officials. There
were clear provisions regarding the nature of business of the Council.
The Fourth Council (1897-1901), held 18 sittings and passed 15 bills.
in the Fifth council(1901-1904), the number of sittings was 16.
Guided by the intention to widen the opportunities for increased
association of the people with administration, the Maharaja took
a remarkable step on the 1st of October 1904, by adding one more
representative body, namely the Sri Mulam Popular Assembly of Travancore.
On October 22, the Victoria Jubilee Town Hall of Trivandrum became
the venue of the first Meeting of the Sri Mulam Popular Assembly.
A novel mark appeared on May 01,1905, when a regulation was issued
to grant to the people the privilege of electing members to the
Assembly. Of the 100 members, 77 were to be elected and 23 nominated,
for a tenure of 1 year. In 1919, a major structural shift occurred
by a regulation aimed at broad basing the administration and the
powers of the Council. The strength of the Legislative Council was
raised to a maximum of 25, with a bare official majority.
A parallel development emerged in Cochin, where the Cochin Legislative
Council Regulation Act, 1923 provided for a Legislative Council.
The First Council (1925-28), with 45 members (30 elected and 15
nominated), was constituted in April 1925, under the Presidentship
of Shri.T.S. Narayana Aiyar. The franchise was based on property
and allied qualifications. There were General and Special Constituencies.
The Council was allowed to introduce Bills, ask questions, move
resolutions and discuss and vote on Budget Demands. In 1926, 2 Select
Committees were formed. The First Council passed 8 Bills and the
Second Council (1928-31), 20 Bills.
Malabar, which was a district of Madras Province under the British
rule, had representatives in Madras Legislative Assembly from the
1920's.
In Travancore, freedom of speech was guaranteed in 1930 by an Amendment
to the earlier Regulation. On October 28, 1932, a momentous structural
addition was made by the Travancore Legislative Regulation. Bicameralism
took a new shape, with the creation of a Lower House, the Sri Mulam
Assembly, and an Upper House, the Sri Chitra State Council. The
earlier bodies were abolished. In the new Assembly, there were to
be 72 members, of whom 62 were to be non-officials. The First Assembly(1933-37)
had 9 sessions and passed 102 bills, the First Council passed 58
bills.
The legislative powers improved. Power was given to the Assembly
to vote on the Demands for Grants and to reduce or omit any item
of the demand. In 1932, a Joint Committee of both the chambers was
created. The year witnessed the constitution of the Public Accounts
committee, heralding a tradition of executive accountability.
Functionally, the enactment made right from the beginning, ranged
from the Jenmy Kudiyan Act of 1896 to the Factories Act, 1914 and
the Trade Union Act, 1937, all of which had weighty impact in the
socio-economic arena.
On 12th December 1933, the Viceroy Lord Wellington laid the foundation
stone for a new Assembly building at the Northern side of the Secretariat.
The new building was opened by Sri.C.P.Ramaswamy Aiyar, on 8th February,
1939. On the very next day, (9th February,1939),the Second Sri Mulam
Assembly (1937-44), in its 4th Session met in the new Chamber. A
Proclamation dated 18th March 1939, stated that all regulations
till then and future enactment were to be styled as Acts.
In Cochin, the number of Members of the Council was increased to
54 (36 elected and 18 nominated). Four Advisory Committees were
constituted in 1935. In 1938, under the Government of Cochin Act,
dyarchy was introduced. A Member of Legislature was appointed as
Minister to administer certain transferred subjects. The total number
of Councils from 1925 to 1948 was 6.
In the years from 1930 to 1936, Malabar sent 5 Members to Madras
Legislature. Almost all the Congress candidates were elected in
the provincial elections in Malabar, in 1936. Shri.Kongattil Raman
Menon was a minister in the C.Rajagopalachary Ministry (1937-39).
Going back to Travancore, the 3rd Assembly and Council were held
from 1944 to 1947 in 4 sessions each. Bicameralism continued in
Cochin till September 4, 1947. The number of Ministers was increased
to 4 in 1946. In the same year, the Public Accounts Committee was
founded in Cochin Legislature. The enactments in Cochin and Madras
too were reformative.
Thus the initial phase has been marked by gleaming lines underlying
the one step needed to precede the journey of a thousand miles.
The socio-political culture got wedded to the evolving environment
of legislative bodies.
Responsible
Governments (1947-1956)
The waves created by the birth of independent India had stirring
repercussions in native States. On September 4, 1947, the Maharaja
of Travancore announced the move to establish a responsible Government
"to build a new and in fuller amplitude the fabric of great Travancore".
A new Assembly, called the Representative Body was to function as
the Constituent Assembly. 120 members were elected on the basis
of adult franchise. The Assembly (1948-49) held its first sitting
on March 20, 1948 under the Presidentship of Shri. A.J.John. Sri.G.Chandrasekhara
Pillai was the Deputy President. Altogether, there were 36 sittings,
in which 20 bills were passed. Considering the desire of the Assembly
to be granted the powers and functions of a Legislative Assembly
and to have a Ministry responsible to it, the Travancore Interim
Constitution Act was promulgated on March 24, 1948, providing for
a Council of Ministers headed by a Prime Minister and responsible
to the Assembly. The Maharaja was to be the Constitutional Head.
A Council of Ministers, under the Prime Ministership of Shri.Pattom
a Thanu Pillai began to serve from March 24, 1948. In October 1948,
Shri.T.K.Narayana Pillai succeeded as the Prime Minister. Among
the legislative enactments of the period, the ESI Act, 1948 deserves
special mention. In the same year, the Committee on Petitions was
constituted.
The Responsible Government in Cochin took form on August 14,1947.
The First Prime Minister Shri Panampally Govinda Menon served from
September 1, 1947 to October 22, 1947. His successor, Shri.T.K.Nair,
had a tenure of office from October 27, 1947 to September 20, 1948.
Adult franchise was introduced in 1948. The Legislative Council
was renamed as Legislative Assembly. It (1948-49) had 58 members
and held 19 sittings in which 29 bills were passed. After the General
Elections in 1948m a popular Ministry headed by Shri Ikkanda Warrier
came to power, on September 20, 1948. A House committee was constituted
in 1948.
In the First Legislative Assembly of Madras (1937-46), created under
the 1935 Act, there were 16 members from Malabar. The Second Assembly
(1946-51) had 20 members.
The merger of Travancore and Cochin was realized on July 1, 1949.
The Maharaja of Travancore became the Head, the Rajapramukh of the
new Travancore-Cochin State. The First Legislative Assembly (1945-51)was
composed of 178 members of the Legislative bodies of Travancore
and Cochin. Shri T.K.Narayana Pillai, the Chief Minister of Travancore
became the Chief Minister of the new State. The Speaker was Shri.T.M.Varghese.
In 7 sessions, 71 bills were passed. In 1949, in the place of Standing
Finance Committees, the Estimates Committee was constituted. The
Committee of Privileges came into being in 1950.
After the General Elections of December 1951, The Congress Ministry
under Shri.A.J.John assumed office on March 12, 1952 and was voted
out on September 23, 1953. The Assembly held 5 sessions and passed
28 bills. It was dissolved on September 23, 1953. The Employees
Provident fund Act of 1952 was an important functional output. In
the years 1952 and 1953, the Library Advisory Committee and the
Rules Committee were formed.
The 1st General Elections to the Madras Legislative Assembly, held
in 1951, after the adoption of the Constitution of India, brought
in 29 members from Malabar region to the Madras Legislative Assembly.
In the Travancore-Cochin State, elections were held in January 1954.
Shri.Pattom A.Thanu Pillai, of the Praja Socialist Party, formed
a Ministry with the support of the Congress. This Ministry, which
fell in 1955, was succeeded by the Ministry of Shri Panampally Govinda
Menon, who had to end the term on March 23,1956, due to the resignation
of 6 members. On the advice of the Rajapramukh, President's rule
was imposed in the State for the first time and the Assembly was
dissolved. This third Assembly held 6 sessions and passed 39 bills.
In 1954, 3 Committees-viz; the Committee on Private Members' Bills
and Resolutions, the Committee on Subordinate Legislation and Committee
on Government Assurances, were constituted.
During
the regime of Sri. Chitra Thirunal, who was enthroned in 1932,
there were some radical reforms in this field. The Legislative
Council was divided into Sreemoolam Assembly and Sr.Chitra State
Council. In protest against the inadequacy of the Constitutional
reforms of 1932, the Nivartana (abstention) movement was started,
as the Ezhavas, the Christians and the Muslims who constituted
70 percent of the population, apprehended that the new reforms,
owing to the provisions for restricted franchise on the basis
of the area of possessions for restricted franchise on the basis
of the area of possession of property and other qualifications,
would secure for them only a new number of seats in the enlarged
legislature than the Nayars. They demanded apportioning of the
seats on the basis of population. When the Government turned a
deaf car to the voice of protest, they organized a Joint Political
Congress and exhorted the voters to abstain from voting. The Government
at last conceded their demands to a certain extent by introducing
communal reservation in appointments to the public service. The
Haripura Session of the Indian National Congress in 1938 had resolved
that the party should keep itself aloof from involvement in the
affairs of the princely states. This paved the way for the formation
of the Travancore State Congress and Cochin State Congress the
same year. The peasant and labour movements of the 1930 were responsible
for the emergence of a left wing in politics which ultimately
resulted in the birth of the Congress Socialist Party. The radical
section of the Nationalist Muslims in Malabar lent full support
to the leftists. And very soon the Kerala Provincial Congress
Committee came to be dominated by them.
In 1925 a 45 member legislature came into being in Cochin of which
30 were elected members. The creation of the post of a minister
responsible to the legislature, and entrusting him with the charge
of all the departments related to rural development was the step
forward in 1930 when a diarchial form of Government was established.
In the 50 member legislative council, 38 were elected members.
The Cochin Congress and the Cochin State Congress were the main
contestants. The Cochin Congress and the Cochin State Congress
secured 13 seats, the Cochin State Congress 12 and Independents
and the Progressive Party 13. The Cochin congress with the support
of some independents came to power on June 17, 1938. Ambattu Sivarama
Menon was appointed Minister for Rural Development. The earned
for Cochin the distinction of being the first state among the
princely states to usher in a ministerial Government. Sivarama
Menon died on August 30 and he was followed by Dr. A.R. Menon.
And with the passage of a non-confidence motion on February 25,
1942, he was forced to resign. Shri.T.K. Nair of Cochin Congress
assumed charge of the ministerial office. Since the Second World
War was on, the Maharaja extended the term of the Council and
as such he could continue in the office till July 11,1945.
On January 26, 1941 a new political part called Cochin Rajya Prajamandalam
was constituted with Sri. V.R. Krishnan Ezhuthachan as its President.
In the elections held in 1945, the Prajamandalam could win 12
seats out of the total 19 seats, but it did not claim the ministership.
There for the Maharaja appointed Shri Parambi Lonappan, Leader
of the Nationalist Group, the Minister of Rural Development. Shri.
Balakrishna Menon also joined the ministry later. Following the
passage of a non-confidence motion, they had to resign. Though
the Parajamandalam was invited to form a ministry they rejected
the offer. Thus again the political affairs reached a crisis.
On August 17, 1946 the Maharaja declared that all portfolios except
law and order and finance would be given to the popular ministers.
Thus a 4 member ministry assumed office on September 9, 1946.
Sahodaran Ayyappan, T.K. Nair, Panampilli Govina Menon and C.R.
Iyyunni were the members of the Cabinet. Later a 3 member ministry
under the leadership of Panampilli Govinda Menon came to power
and then the Home Portfolio also was handed over to the ministry.
When Home Minister, T.K. Nair used the police force to put down
labour struggles and popular agitation's, Panampilli, G.R.Iyyunni
and Sahodaran Ayyappan resigned from the Cabinet. No longer did
the Maharaja dismiss the Council, then he announced that elections
with adult franchise would be held in October 1948.
In the elections, the Parajamandalam secured overwhelming majority
and Ikkanda Warrier was elected leader of the parry. Panampilli
Govinda Menon, Sahodaran Ayyappan and C.A.Ouseph were his colleagues
in the cabinet. On July 1, 1949 the integration of Cochin and
Travancore took place. The members of the Cochin legislative council
become M.L.As of Travancore Cochin legislature. In the Travancore-Cochin
state a nine member ministry was formed including the four ministers
of Cochin, with Shri.Narayana Pillai as the leader. The end of
the Quit India Movement saw Malabar returning to elections and
Constitutional Government. Administratively Malabar was a district
of Madras Province at the time of Independence. The Malabar district
had also representation in Madras Cabinet. And among the ministers
from Malabar were Shri.Kozhipurathu Madhava Menon, Shri C.J. Varkey,
Shri. A. Raghava Menon, Shri Kongathil Raman Menon (all Congress)
and Shri R.M. Palat (Justice party).
The Travancore State Congress launched a campaign seeking dismissal
of the Dewan, Sir, C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, on the basis of certain
allegations. But the party was forced to withdraw the charges
on Gandhiji's intervention. This created a split in Congress.
The members of the Youth League left the State Congress to form
the Travancore, however, was not destined to have a peaceful transition
to freedom and democracy. In the last week of October 1946, (October
24 to 27) the State Saw the most violent of upheavals, the Punnappara-Vayalar
revolt of the working class, an armed revolt by the poor with
a view to ending the police raj under the Dewan. Even after the
attainment of freedom the Dewan declared on June 11, 1947 that
Travancore would remain an 'Independent State' on the lapse of
British paramountacy. When he let loose repression, an unsuccessful
attempt on his life was made on July 25, 1947. And forced by the
new developments he felt Travancore on August 19, 1947.
First Election After
Independence
September 4, 1947 the Maharaja of Travancore issued a declaration
to elect Constituent Assembly in Travancore as a prelude to the
introduction of adult franchise. The first election was held in
February 1948. Out of the total 120 seats. The Indian National
Congress contested 112 and won 97 seats. The Muslim League secured
eight, Tamil Nadu congress 14 and independent one. Though the
Communist Party contested 17 seats and the K.S.P. eight, they
could not win a single seat. On March 20, 1948 the Travancore
Constituent Assembly came into being, the first of its kind formed
on the basis of adult franchise in the country. It started functioning
under the presidentship of late Shri. A. John. But as per a declaration
of the Raja on March 24, it began to function also as a Legislative
Assembly. An interim three member Ministry was formed with late
Shri.Pattom A. Thanu Pillai as Prime Minister. The two members
of this first popular ministry in Travancore. As a result of the
internecine feuds within the Congress, a non-confidence motion
was carried, and the Pattom Ministry resigned on October 17, 1948.
Then a seven member Ministry under the leadership of the late
Shri.T.K. Narayana Pillai came to power on 22nd October, 1948.
The movement for a United Kerala gathered momentum. Following
the national policy of integration, the States of Travancore and
Cochin were merged into Travancore-Cochin state under the Raja
of Travancore as the Raj Pramukh on 1st July 1949. A seven member
cabinet was sworn in under the stewardship of Shri T.K. Narayana
Pillai on that day, the first ministry of the erstwhile T.C. State.
Consequent on political troubles within the party the T.K. ministry
had to resign on February 24, 1951. Though the late Shri. C. Kesavan
formed a three member ministry all of a student, he tendered resignation
of the leadership on 20th March and was unanimously re-elected
as leader. The ministry was expanded on September 6 by inducting
four more members.
First General election
in the Republic
India became a Sovereign Democratic Republic on January 26,
1950. Before the 1951-52 general elections, the Socialist Party
was formed under the leadership of Shri. Pattom Thanu Pillai,
and the Shri. Mannath Padmanabhan and Shri. R.Sankar as its leaders.
The first general election was held from December 10, 1951 to
January 5, 1952 in the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin State. Out
of the 108 seats, Congress got 44 seats (three un-contested),
Socialist 11 (One uncontested), Communist 25, R.S.P. 6, Travancore
Tamilnadu Congress 8, K.S.P. and Cochin party one each and Independence
12. (The communist party was then banned in T.C.) . On 12th March
1952 a six member ministry was sworn-in with Shri A.J. John as
Chief Minister. Later a representative of the T.T.N.C. was also
inducted into the cabinet following the alliance made with that
party Congress. As a result of the disagreement between the Congress
and T.T.N.C. Which demanded a separate Congress organization for
Tamils, a confidence motion tabled by the ruling party on September
23, 1953 fell through. The Assembly was dissolved and the ministry
continued as caretaker Government till the elections.
The second election to the T.C. Assembly was held in February
1954. Following delimitation, the number of seats rose to 118.
When the results were announced the party position was as follows:
INC-45, T.T.N.C. -12, P.S.P. - 19, Communist- 23, R.S.P. - 9,
K.S.P. - 3, Independents - 6, and an Anglo Indian member. Though
there was an electoral understanding between the Congress and
the P.S.P. the latter refused to support the Congress in forming
a ministry. Though unsuccessful, this was the first electoral
alliance in India. In Order to avert Political uncertainty, the
Congress extended support to the P.S.P. to form a cabinet. Thus
a four-member cabinet of the P.S.P. under Congress withdrew its
support to the P.S.P ministry, it had to resign. In the meantime,
two P.S.P. legislators had joined the Congress. Thus with the
support of the T.T.N.C, Shri. Panampally Govinda Menon formed
a five member cabinet the fifth ministry in the T.C. State. That
ministry also could not complete its term, and the State came
under President's rule for the first time. Shri. P.S. Rao was
appointed Advisor to the Rajapramukh.
|
| Legislation
After State Formation (1956) |
| Last
Assembly |
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|
Legislation
after State formation State Legislature(1956-1996) An integrated
State of Kerala emerged from the fusion on linguistic grounds, demolishing
the walls of provincial separations. After the First General Elections
held in February-March 1957, the First in the series of the Legislative
Assemblies of Kerala commenced on April 1, 1957. The Speaker of
the First Kerala Legislative Assembly was Shri.R.Sankaranarayanan
Thampi and the Deputy Speaker was Smt.K.O.Aisha Bai. On April 5,
1957, the first Communist Ministry, with Shri.E.M.Sankaran Namboodiripad
as the Chief Minister assumed office. This Ministry was dismissed
on July 31, 1959, after a series of struggles by the Opposition
parties. The Assembly was dissolved on July 31,1959. This Assembly
had 7 sessions and 175 sittings. The major Legislative outputs include
the Kerala University Bill, 1957, the Kerala Education Bill, 1957,
the Kerala Agrarian Relations Bill, 1957 etc. adding upto a total
of 88 passed bills. In 1957, the Business Advisory Committee was
formed.
The Second Kerala Legislative Assembly, constituted on February
22, 1960, had Shri.K.M.Seethi Sahib as the Speaker and Smt.A.Nabisath
Beevi as the Deputy Speaker. On the demise of Shri Seethi Sahib,
Shri.C.H.Mohammed Koya became the Speaker on June 9,1961. After
his resignation on November 10, 1961, Shri.Alexander Parambithara
assumed office on December 13,1961. A Ministry with Shri.Pattom
A.Thanu Pillai as the Chief Minister was formed, giving rise to
the first coalition experiment in the State of Kerala, consisting
of the Praja Socialist Party, the Congress and the Muslim League.
Shri.Pattom A. Thanu Pillai was appointed as the Governor of Punjab.
On September 26, 1962, the Congress Legislature Party leader Shri.R.Sankar
became the Chief Minister. A no- confidence motion against the Government
was carried in September 1964. The State came under the President's
rule and the Assembly was dissolved. This Assembly had 12 sessions
and 300 sittings, in which 161 Bills were passed, of which the Kerala
Panchayats Bill, the Kerala Police Bill, the Kerala Land Improvement
and Agricultural Loans Bill and the Kerala Public Servants (inquiries)
Bill, 1960 deserve mention.
In the Elections held in 1965, no party had majority. The President's
Rule was extended till March 1967. On 3rd March 1967, the Third
Legislative Assembly gained form, after the General Elections
in March 1967. Shri.D.Damodaran Potty was the Speaker and Shri.M.P.Mohammed
Jaffer Khan, the Deputy Speaker. The Ministry headed by Shri.E.M.Sankaran
Namboodiripad took charge on March 6,1967. After the resignation
of the Ministry on November 1, 1969, a realignment took place, with
Shri.C.Achutha Menon as the Chief Minister. The Assembly was dissolved
for a fresh mandate on June 26, 1970. The President's rule was imposed.
In this Assembly, there were 7 sessions and 211 sittings. 102 bills
were passed, among which the Cooperative societies Bill, 1967, the
Kerala Land Reforms (Amendment) Bill, 1968, and the Calicut University
Bill, 1968 had special significance. The Committee on Public Undertakings
started functioning in 1968. The Assembly held a special meeting
in October 1969, to commemorate Gandhi Centenary.
The Fourth Kerala Legislative Assembly was constituted on
October 4, 1970. Shri.K.Moideenkutty Haji was the Speaker and Shri.R.S.Unni,
the Deputy Speaker. The Ministry was headed by Shri.C.Achutha Menon.
On the resignation of the Speaker on May 8,1975, the Deputy Speaker
performed the duties till February 17,1976, when Shri.T.S.John became
the Speaker. The life of this Assembly was extended in 3 stages,
till March 21, 1977. Thus, it had a life-span of 6 years, 5 months
and 18 days, in 16 sessions and 322 sittings. The Kerala Children
Bill and the Kerala State Rural Development Board Bill of 1971,
the Kerala Agricultural Workers' Bill, 1972, the Joint Hindu Family
System (Abolition) Bill, 1973 and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition)Bill,1975
were among the 227 bills passed. In 1972, the Committee on the Welfare
of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was constituted. On
the night of August 14, 1972, the Assembly met for the 25th Anniversary
of the Indian Independence.
The next in the series was the Fifth Kerala Legislative Assembly,
which commenced on March 22, 1977. Shri.Chakkeeri Ahammed Kutty
was the Speaker and Shri.P.K.Gopalakrishnan the Deputy Speaker.
The United Front Government assumed office on March 25, 1977, with
Shri K.Karunakaran as the Chief Minister. On his resignation on
April 25,1977, Shri.A.K.Antony became the Chief Minister. He resigned
on October 27, 1978 and Shri.P.K.Vasudevan Nair became the Chief
Minister. On October 12, 1979, Shri.C.H.Mohammed Koya became the
successor, but resigned on December 1, 1979. President's rule was
imposed and the Assembly was dissolved on December 5, 1979. Totally,
there were 6 sessions and 143 sittings. 87 bills were passed. The
major ones include the Kerala Headload Workers Bill, 1977, the Kerala
Debt Relief Bill, 1977 and the Kerala District Administration Bill,
1978. An all party Committee was appointed by the Speaker in March
1979 to give suggestions regarding the Subject Committees to be
formed. The Subcommittee appointed to report on the proposal for
construction of the new legislature complex submitted its Report
which was approved by the Cabinet vide G.O.dated 19-9-1978. The
foundation stone of the Legislature Complex was laid by Shri.Neelam
Sanjeeva Reddy, the President of India on June 4, 1979.
The Sixth Kerala Legislative Assembly was constituted on
January 25, 1980. Shri.A.P.Kurian and Shri M.J.Zakaria were the
Speaker and the Deputy Speaker respectively. The LDF ministry under
Shri.E.K.Nayanar assumed office on 25-1-1980. This Ministry resigned
on October 20, 1981. Presidents' rule was imposed and the Legislative
Assembly was put under suspended animation. On December 28, 1981
a Ministry was formed with Shri.K.Karunakaran as the Chief Minister.
The Speaker, Shri.A.P.Kurian resigned on February 01, 1982 and was
succeeded by Shri A.C.Jose. The Ministry resigned on March 17,1982
due to loss of majority. Again came the President's rule. The Assembly
had 7 sessions and 112 sittings. 47 bills were passed, among which
stand the Kerala Advocates Welfare Fund Bill, 1980, the Kerala Marine
Fishing Regulation Bill, 1980 and the Kerala Fishermen Welfare Societies
Bill, 1980. The 1980's saw the formation of the unique system of
Subject Committees.
The Seventh Kerala Legislative Assembly was formed on May
24, 1982. With Shri.K.Karunakaran as the Chief Minister, the UDF
Government assumed office. The Speaker, Shri.Vakkom B Purushothaman,
when elected to the Lokh Sabha in 1984, was succeeded by Shri. V.M.Sudheeran
in March 1985. The Successive Deputy Speakers were Shri.K.M.Hamsakunju
and Shri Korambayil Ahmed Haji. The Assembly lasted till March 25,
1987, completing the full term. It had 14 sessions and 249 sittings.
118 bills were passed. The Kerala Public Men (Prevention of Corruption)
Bill, 1983, the Gandhiji University Bill, 1984, The Cochin University
of Science and Technology Bill, 1986 etc. fall in this group. The
Silver Jubilee of the Legislative Assembly was celebrated in 1982.
The Administrative Block of the Legislature Complex was inaugurated
by Shri Balram Jhakhar, Speaker of the Lokh Sabha on May 21, 1985.
The work of the Assembly building was formally commenced when Shri.V.M.Sudheeran,
the Speaker, broke the clod of earth on 11th August,1986.
On March 25, 1987, the Eighth Kerala Legislative Assembly
was constituted. The L.D.F Ministry under Shri.E.K.Nayanar assumed
office on March 26, 1987. Shri Varkala Radhakrishnan served as the
Speaker and Smt.Bhargavi Thankappan as the Deputy Speaker. The Centenary
Celebration of the Legislative Bodies was inaugurated on August
23, 1988 by the then Vice President Dr.Sankar Dayal Sharma. Shri.
Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy was the Chief Guest in the Valedictory function
held on August 22, 1989. The Assembly lasted till April 5, 1991,
through 113 sessions and 312 sittings. Among the 129 bills passed,
the welfare oriented ones like the Kerala Coir Workers Welfare Fund
Bill, 1987, Kerala Public Men's Corruption(Investigations and Inquiries)
Bill, 1987, the Kerala Khadi Workers Welfare Fund Bill, 1988, the
Kerala Handloom Workers Welfare Fund Bill, 1988, the Kerala Construction
Workers Welfare Fund Bill, 1989, the Kerala Public Libraries Bill,
1989 and Kerala Women's Commission Bill, 1990 need special mention.
On August 13, 1987, a special meeting of the Assembly was held in
connection with the 40th Anniversary Celebrations of the Indian
Independence.
Beginning from June 21, 1991, the Ninth Kerala Legislative Assembly
had Shri.K.Karunakaran as the Chief Minister and Shri.P.P.Thankachan
as the Speaker from 1991 to 1995. From 1995, Shri.A.K.Antony and
Shri Therambil Ramakrishnan were the respective successors. The
Deputy Speaker was Shri.K.Narayana Kurup. On January 1, 1992, the
Accident Insurance Scheme for Members was begun. On November 3,
1993, the Banquet Hall and the 6 Committee Rooms in the Legislature
Complex were inaugurated by Shri.P.P.Thankachan. The assembly lasted
till May 14, 1996. There were 15 sessions and 264 sittings. The
Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Bill, 1993, the Kerala
Panchayat Raj Bill and the Kerala Municipalities Bill, 1994, the
Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit Bill, 1994 etc. were some
among the 84 bills passed. It may be noted that on April 21,1994,
the Additional Advocate General presented himself before the House
to give clarifications on certain points raised by Members during
the discussion on the Panchayat Raj Bill, 1994. This Assembly saw
the formation of the Committee on the Welfare of the Women and Children
and the Committee on Environment in 1992, the Committee on the Welfare
of Backward Class Communities in 1993 and the Committee on Papers
Laid on the Table in 1995. The Governor's Speech and the Budget
speech were recorded and telecast, for the first time, in 1995.
Tenth
Kerala Legislative Assembly (1996 to 2000)
The Tenth Kerala Legislative Assembly was constituted on May 14,
1996. M.Vijayakumar assumed office as speaker. On April 27, 1997
the Assembly celebrated its 40th Anniversary. The day of September
18, 1997 became a part of the proudest moments, by the address of
the President of India Sri.K.R.Narayanan, to the Legislative Assembly
of Kerala, the first of its nature in India. From a small Council
held in the Dewan's Room, the structural growth of the Legislature
reached its pinnacle on the 22nd of May, 1998, when the President
Shri.K.R.Narayanan inaugurated the new Assembly Building. The last
meeting in the old chamber in the Secretariat was held on June 29,
1998. On June 30th, the Assembly met in the new chamber inheriting
the tradition from a glorious past. On February 24, 2001, the Old
Assembly Building was declared as a Historical Monument.
The
Committees: In July 1999, the Committee of Privileges was given
additional functions relating to matters connected with Ethics and
the Committee was renamed as the Committee of Privileges and Ethics.
To the Committee on the Welfare of Women and Children, the Welfare
of Physically Handicapped and mentally retarded too was added.
Five Select committees were constituted to consider the Kerala Sports
Bill, the Early Childhood Care and Education Bill, the Revenue Card
Bill, the Kerala Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill and the
Indian Divorce (Kerala Amendment) Bill.
Legislative Outputs: The Kerala Scheduled Tribes (Restriction
of Transfer of Lands and Restoration of Alienated Lands) Amendment
Bill, 1996 was passed on September 23, 1996 . The Bill, interalia
assures the allotment of proportionate extent of the land to the
Tribals.
Malabar University Bill, 1996 was introduced and was passed on September
26, 1996 with an amended name as the Kannur University Bill 1996.
The Kerala Board of Revenue Abolition Bill, 1996 was introduced
and was passed on November 19,1996. By this enactment, powers enforced
by the members of the Revenue Board in accordance with the different
Acts and Rules were entrusted with the Government or Competent authorities
assigned for the purpose. This is considered to be a landmark enactment
in the field of day-to-day administration of the State.
One of the most important enactment made during the Tenth Kerala
Legislative Assembly is the one that relates to higher secondary
education . But consequent on continuous pressure from the University
Grants Commission, Government was constrained to abolish Pre-Degree
Course in the Universities in the State. In accordance with the
national education policy to improve the standard of higher education
the Government of Kerala proposed to introduce the Plus two system
in a phased manner with effect from the academic year 1997-98. To
give effect to the above proposal the Pre-Degree Course Abolition
Bill, 1997 was passed on December 18,1997.
A Comprehensive new legislation was hence brought forth namely the
Kerala Lok Ayukta Bill, 1999 for the effective inquiry and investigation
of complaints against public servants and matters connected therewith
or ancillary thereto.
A much talked about enactment during the tenure of Tenth Kerala
Legislative Assembly was the Kerala Revenue Card Bill, 1997. Revenue
Card can be used as document in lieu of various certificates thereby
reducing the difficulties experienced by the people while availing
concessions, benefits of grants sanctioned by Government.
The Kerala Legislative Assembly has moved a step ahead of most other
state legislatures and even the Parliament when it enacted the Kerala
Sports Bill, 1999. The Kerala Legislative Assembly has left no stone
unturned for the speedy implementation of decentralization of power
enabling the common man to enjoy the fruits of democracy. Various
amendments were brought forth to the Kerala Panchayat Raj, Nagarapalika
Acts for improving the financial status of the Local Self Governments
and for modifying the provisions relating to the elections. The
Kerala Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 1999 was passed on February
24, 1999 and the Kerala Municipalities (Amendment) Bill, 1999 was
passed on February 25,1999.
The Kerala Motor Transport Workers' Payment of Fair Wages (Amendment)
Bill, 1997, the Kerala Coir Workers' Welfare Fund(Amendment) Bill,
1998, the Kerala Bamboo Kattuvally and Pandanus Leaf Workers' Welfare
Fund Bill, 1998, the Kerala Fishermen's Welfare fund (Amendment)
Bill, 1999 are a few examples for implementing welfare measures.
Eleventh
Assembly 2001
Election to the 11th assembly was held on May 10 ,2001 in which
UDF got 99 seats and the 11th Kerala Assembly was sworn in to power
on the 17th of May 2001 with Shri.A.K.Antony as Chief Minister.
The cabinet comprised of 20 ministers. Mr. Vakkom Purushothaman
was elected as speaker. Shri. Sundaran Nadar sworn in as Deputy
Speaker. Shri.A.K.Antony rendered the resignation of his cabinet
on august 29, 2004. A five member ministry under the chief ministership
of Oommen chandy assumed charge of office on August 31,2004. Shri.Therambil
Ramakrishnan was elected as the Speaker.The ministry was further
expanded to a 20 members cabinet. INC faced a split in 2005,a new
party ,DIC[K] was formed under the leadership of veteran congress
leader k.karunakaran on may Ist 2005.
Twelfth
Assembly 2006
Election to the 12 thassembly was conducted in three phases on april
22nd ,29th and May3rd.The LDF won with 98 seats,.The 19 member LDF
ministry was sworn into power on 18nth may 2006 with Shri.V.S.Achuthanandan
as the chief minister.Shri.k.Radhakrishnan was elected as the speaker
and deputy speaker is Shri. Jose baby.
|
Progressive
Legislature
When we look back to the history of Indian Legislative set up,
we find several things to feel proud of, as we were the 'fist' in
many a political experiment. Among the Princely States in the country,
it was in the erstwhile state of Travancore that the First Legislative
Council was constituted in 1888 with six official and two non-official
members. In 1898 it was decided that the number of members might
be raised from eight to 15 of which two fifth should be non-official
members. But the idea of "election" in its literal sense was not
accepted even in principle. Similar legislative reforms took place
in 1920 and 1922. |
Elections
Reorganization of states on linguistic lines took place on the
recommendations of the States Reorganization Commission. Thus the
long-cherished dream of the Malayalees for a United Kerala came
true on November 1, 1956. The entire Malabar District of Madras
and the Kasaragod Taluk of South Canara District were added to Kerala
and the Tamil-speaking southern region of old Travancore State was
annexed to the Madras State. The rule of Rajapramukh was ended and
Shri. P.S. Rao was appointed Acting Governor of Kerala. On November
22, 1956 Dr. B. Ramakrishna Rao assumed the gubernatorial office
in Kerala. |
1957
General Elections
The first general elections to the Kerala Assembly were held
from February 28 to March 11, 1957. Out of the total 126 seats,
11 seats were reserved for scheduled castes and one for scheduled
tribes. The number of constituencies was 114, of which twelve were
to-member ones. The electors numbered 7,514,626 and the total number
of valid votes polled was 5,837,577. The communist party of India
emerged as the largest single party in the Assembly with 60 seats.
It was for the first time in the history of the world that the Communist
party came to power through ballot. Five of Independent candidates
returned to the House had the support of the Communist party in
the elections and they, therefore, joined the communist Legislature
party. The popular ministry of Kerala headed by Shri. E.M.S. Namboodiripad,
leader of the Communist party, was sworn in on 5th April 1957. This
Government did not last long. An agitation known as "liberation
Struggle" was launched by the Congress-led opposition and the President
issued on 31st July 1959 a proclamation under article 356 of the
Constitution dissolving the Assembly and Introducing President's
rule in the State. |
1960
Elections
Elections were held on 1st February 1960 for the first time,
the polling throughout the state held on a single day. There was
an electoral alliance between the Congress, the P.S.P. And the Muslim
League. The fielded 125 candidates and supported an independent
sponsored by the Congress. The Communist Party fielded 108 party
candidates and supported 16 Independents. There were 102 single
member and 132 double member constituencies. In 63 single-member
constituencies and seven two-member constituencies there were straight
fights with only two candidates for each seat, though other parties
such as the B.J.S. the R.S.P and the Socialist (Lohia) party also
were in the fray. Of the 8,038,268 electors (votes: 9,601,601),
the vaild votes numbered 8,104,077.
The results of the elections were as follows:
Congress - 63, PSP -20, Muslim League - 11, CPI -29 and Independents
- 3 (including one for R.S.P, and one for United Karnataka Samithi).
Shri. Pattom A. Thanu Pillai of the P.S.P. took over on February,
22 as the coalition Chief Minister leading a council of eleven ministers.
Shri. R.Sankar of the Congress was designated as Deputy Chief Minister.
The late Shri. Seethi Sahib of Muslim League was elected Speaker,
and following his demise Shri. C.H. Mohammed Koya assumed that office.
Gradually differences of opinion arose between the Congress and
the Muslim League and the latter decided on November 9, 1961 to
quit, the coalition. The next day speaker Shri. C.H. Mohammed Koya
tendered his resignation. Shri. Alexander Parambithara was elected
Speaker and the Congress-PSP coalition Ministry continued in power.
Shri. Pattam Thanu Pillai relinquished the reins of power on September
25, 1962, consequent on his appointment as Governor of the Punjab.
Shri. R. Sankar took over as Chief minister the next day. On October
10, 1962 the two remaining P.S.P. Ministers bowed out from the Ministry.
Shri. Sankar continued as Chief Minister for about two years. Following
some differences of opinion with the Chief Minister, the Home Minister
Shri. P.T. Chacko resigned on 16th February 1964. A political crisis
was precipitated in September 1964 which resulted in the formation
of a dissident group in the Congress Legislature Party. This group
consisting of 15 MLAs lent support to a no-confidence motion moved
by the P.S.P. leader Shri. P.K. Kunju against the Sankar ministry
on September 8. The motion was carried and the legislature dissolved
leading to President's rule for the third them in the state. And
the dissidents formed a new party, Kerala Congress.
|
Abortive
Elections of 1965
Elections were next held on 4th March 1965. The system of single
and double member constituencies had been given up in 1962. A fresh
delimitation of the constituencies increased their number to 133.
The I.N.C. alone fought the elections in all seats without any alliance.
In the meantime the Communist Party had been split into two, viz.
the CPI and CPI(M).
The CPI (M) had electoral understanding with the S.S.P. And the
Muslim League. The C.P.I. was in alliance with the R.S.P. which
had an understanding with the Kerala Congress. The INC won 36 seats,
the CPM -40, the S.S.P. - 13, the ML - 6, the CPI - 3, the Kerala
Congress - 23 and Independents 12.
As the final post-election picture emerged, no single party could
form a ministry commanding majority. Thus the 1965 elections became
abortive. Once again on march 25 President's rule was invoked for
the fourth time. |
1967
Election
Kerala next went to the polls two years later along with the
March 1967. General elections. A new polarization of political forces
had taken place leading to new electoral alliances. Politically
the most potent factor was the new United Front of CPI, the CPI
(M), the RSP the Samyuktha Socialist Party, the Karshaka Thozhilali
Part and the Kerala Socialist Party. Then the INC faced the elections
single-handedly. The Kerala Congress was reported to have had electoral
understanding with the Swatantra Party and the DMK.
The Seven-party CPI (M) led United Front won a decisive victory.
It could win a convincing majority in the Assembly. The second Namboodiripad
ministry was thus formed on 6th March 1967. The Cabinet consisted
of four members o the CPI, the ML and the SSP and one each of the
RSP, the KTP and the KSP. This ministry soon ran into rough weather
and Chief Minister Shri. Namboodiripad resigned on October 24, 1969.
As distinct from the previous ministerial crises, the fall of the
second Namboodiripad ministry left the legislature intact. A fresh
alignment of political forces within the Assembly led to the formation
of an eight-member cabinet headed by Shri. C. Achutha Menon of the
CPI on 1st November 1969. The ruling alliance consisted of the CPI,
the ISP, the ML, the RSP and the Kerala Congress. For the first
time in the legislative history of the State, the cabinet was led
by a personality who was not sitting member of the Assembly, but
a member of the Rajya Sabha. In a by-election held on April
21st 1970 Shri. Menon was returned to the Assembly from Kottarakkara.
In the meantime a split occured in the ISP and three members of
the party joined the PSP. In order to aver a political crisis Shri.
C. Achutha Menon recommended the dissolution of the Assembly on
June 26. He tendered the resignation of the Cabinet on August 1,
1970. The State was forthwith placed under President's rule for
the fifth time. |
1970 Election
Elections were next held on 17th September 1970. The allies
of the ruling front now included the INC, the CPI, the RSP, the
ML and the PSP. It secured 79 seats. Shri. C.Achutha Menon formed
his second ministry on October 4, 1970. The INC and the KC which
were allies of the ruling combine did not join the ministry at first,
but extended support from without. The cabinet was expanded on two
occasions, when the INC joined it in September 1971, and to induct
the nominees of the Kerala Congress in December 1975.
The fourth Kerala Legislative Assembly had the distinction of being
the first Assembly in the State to complete its normal Constitutional
term. Moreover, the normal term of the Assembly which expired
on October 21, 1975 was extended on three occasions over six months
periods during the Emergency. |
1977
Election
Fresh delimitation of Assembly Constituencies was effected
in 1974. As a result, on the eve of March 1977 elections, Kerala
had, as at present, 140 Assembly seats. The electorate had gone
up to 11,460,901 as against 10,169,467 in 1970. Female voters slightly
outnumbered their male counterparts.
As in the previous election the main contestants were the ruling
front and the opposition front. The former represented an alliance
of five recognized political parties viz, the Congress the CPI,
the ML. The RSP, the KC and the unrecognised political party ((NDP),
a newly-formed political projection of the Nair Service Society.
The ruling front fielded 130 candidates of recognised political
parties such as the CPM, the BLD (Janata); the ML (Opposition) and
the Kerala Congress ( Pillai group). Splits occurred in the ML and
the KC before 1977 elections). The unrecognized political parties
in the front were: the Congress Radical, the KSP and the National
R.S.P. It was the general election after the withdrawal of Emergency
imposed on June 26, 1975. Despite the polarisation, straight fights
were confined to only 33 constituencies. Elections were held on
19th March 1977. The total number of vaild votes was 8,773,646.
The ruling front secured 111 seats as detailed below:
INC -38, CPI - 23, K.C.-20, ML - 13, R.S.P. -9, NDP -5, and PSP
- 3. The Opposition got only 29 seats as follows: CPM -17, BLD -
6, ML(O) - 3, KC (PG) -2 and Independent - one.
Two-member ministry was formed with Shri. K. Karunakaran of Congress
as Chief Minister on March 25, 1977. All the remaining thirteen
ministers were sworn in on April 11,1977. However, Shri. Karunakaran
had to resign on April 25,1977, following certain references by
the Kerala High Court in what came to be know as the Rajan case.
Then under the leadership of Shri. A.K. Antony, who was not then
an M.L.A., a 15 member ministry assumed office on April 27, 1977.
Shri Antony was later elected from Kazhakuttom in a bye-election
held on October 22,1977. Shri. Antony himself resigned on October
27, 1978 in protest against the stand taken by the Congress on the
Chikkamagalur bye-election in which Smt.Indira Gandhi was the candidate
of the party.
Shri. P.K. Vasudevan Nair of the CPI become the Chief Minister when
the next ministry was sworn in on October 29,1978 but his ministry
also resigned on October 7, 1979 in order to create an atmosphere
conductive to the formation of a left Democratic Front in Kerala.
Shri. C.H. Mohammed Koya of Muslim League assumed office on October
12, 1979, but the four-member ministry was forced to resign on December
1, 1979. The assembly was dissolved and President's rule was invoked
in Kerala for the sixth time and it continued upto 24th January
1980. |
1980 Election
The Congress had in the meantime split into two- the INC (I)
and the INC (U). The Kerala Congress also followed suit, the splinter
groups being the KC (m) and the KC (J). The ML (O) assumed the name
AIML. When the January 1980 polls were looming large on the horizon,
political alignments in the State had undergone a sea-change involving
a drastic regrouping of major political parties combines - the United
Democratic Front (UDF) consisting of the INC (I), the KC (J), the
PSP, the NDP and the Socialist Republican Party (SRP - a new political
organization of the SNDP), and the Left Democratic Front Comprising,
the CPM, the CPI, the INC (U), the KC (M), the KC (PG), the AIML
and the RSP. The UDF had worked out set adjustments with the Janatha
Party in a number of constituencies though they were locked in battle
in some others. Kerals's total electorate in 1980 was 13,266,064.
The elections were held on 3rd and 6th January. There were 9,286,699
vaild votes. The results of the elections were announced on 22-1-1980.
The LDF won 93 seats and 4,832,481 votes.
The party position was as follows: CPM -35,INC (U) - 21 (plus one
nominated member), CPI -17, KC (M) -8, KC (PG) - 1 [later joined
the KC (M)], RSP - 6 and AIML -5. The UDF secured 46 seats and 4,426,669
votes. The front consisted of INC (I) - 17, IUML -14, KC (J) - 6,
Janata - 5, NDP - 5, and PSP - one. The lone Independent candidates
supported the LDF while it was in power.
Shri. E.K. Nayanar of CPM, headed a 17 member ministry which was
sworn in on 25th January 1980, revoking President's rule. Despite
the thumping majority for the LDF in the Assembly differences of
opinion among the ruling partners culminated in the withdrawal of
support, on 16th October 1981, to the ministry by the Congress (U).
The ministry had the majority of one member excluding the Speaker.
And the ministry resigned on 20th October 1981, when the 8 member
KC (M) withdrew its support to the Government. The Chief Minister
tendered resignation and the next day the President took over the
administration for the seventh time, placing the sixth Kerala Assembly
in suspended animation .Again a political realignment took place.
The Congress (S) and KC (M) joined the UDF.
An eight-member UDF Ministry was sworn in on December 28, 1981 with
Shri. K. Karunakaran of Congress (I) as Chief Minister. It was the
twelfth ministry in Kerala since the formation of the State on November,
1956. Troubles began to raise again. The Congress (S) split into
two factions, 16 members joining the Antony group [Congress (A)
] and six remaining as members of the Chacko group. Later a split
occurred in the Janatha party also. Three members who was the speaker.
On 15th March 1982 Shri. Lonappan Nambadan of KC (M) withdrew his
support to the ministry and consequently the Karunankaran ministry
resigned on March 17. The Assembly was dissolved on the advice of
the outgoing Chief Minister and again the State fell under President's
rule for the eigth time. |
1982
Election
The political alliances had undergone a further change when
the Congress [A], the KC [M] and the Janata [G] joined the UDF.
The two political fronts emerged in the 1982 electoral arena were
the UDF and the LDF.
The UDF included seven parties viz., the INC [I], the IUML, the
KC [M] the KC [J], the NDP, the SRP, the Janata [G], the RSP (S)
and the NRSP. The DLP also declared support to the Front.
The LDF comprised the CPM, the CPI, the Congress (S), the AIML,
the RSP, the KC (S) -- a party formed by Shri. Lonappan Nambadan,
the DSP and the Lok Dal. The Janta Party had seat adjustments with
the LDF.
The number of political parties in Kerala now rose to 25 as against
five in 1957. On
19th May the electorate of Kerala marched to the polling booth to
elect their representatives to the Kerala Assembly for the eighth
time. The size of the electorate came down to 13,117,012 from 13,266,064
in 1980. Besides the 280 candidates put up by the two major fronts,
the BJP fielded 68 candidates. Out of the 9,640,774 votes polled,
9,573,590 were vaild.
The results of the elections were announced on May 20. The UDF won
77 seats, but its effective strength was 76, as Shri. Karunakaran
was elected from two constituencies. The UDF secured 4,617,498 votes
which formed 48.25 percent of the vaild votes. The INC (I) won 20
seats out of 35, the Congress (A) 15 out of 28, the IUML 14 out
of 18, the KC (M) 6 pot of 17, the KC (J) 8 out of 12, the Janata
(G) 4 out of 8, the NDP 4 out of 8, the SRP 2 out of 6, the RSP
(S) one out of 4, and the DLP, the PSP and the Independent one each
out of one each.
The LDF won 63 seats obtaining 4,523,228 votes which constituted
47.24 percent of the total vaild votes. The CPM got 26 seats out
of 51, the CPI 13 out of 25, the Congress (S) 7 out of 18, the AIML
4 out of 12, the Janata 4 out of 12, the RSP 4 out of 8, the KC(S)
and DSP one each and the Independents three out of 11. Out of the
eleven Independent candidates of the LDF - nine were fielded by
the CPM, one by the CPI and the remaining one with the combined
support of the LDF partners. None of the BJP candidates were returned.
They had secured 262,847 votes which formed 2.75 percent of the
vaild votes.
The UDF ministry with Shri. K. Karunakaran as its leader assumed
office on March 24, 1982. Out of the 19 Ministers, four belonged
to the Congress (I), three each from the INC (A) and the IUML, two
each from the KC (M) and the KC (J) and one each from the SRP, the
NDP, the PSP, the Janata and the RSP (S).The merger of the INC (I)
and the INC (A) and of two factions of the Muslim League were the
most important events during the regime of the UDF ministry. A faction
of the IC (S) joined the INC. Though the merger of the two factions
of the Kerala Congress took place, a split again occurred before
the time of filling nominations to the 1987 elections. There were
splits in the NDP, SRP and the PSP. In spite of those crises, this
was the second ministry in Kerala which could complete the full
term office. |
| 1987
Election
The ninth elections to the eighth Kerala Assembly were
held on 23rd March, 1987. The UDF and the LDF were, as usual the
major political fronts. The UDF included the INC (I) the IUML, the
KC (J), the KC (M), the NDP (P), the SRP (S) and the RSP (S). the
LDF comprised the CPI (M) the CPI, the RSP, the IC (S), the Janata
and the LOk Dal. And the third front consists of the BJP and the
Hindu Munnani. The NDP (P), the SRP (V), the ILP, the AIFB, the
SUCI, the CMP, the Socialist, the KSP and some non- political organizations
had also fielded their candidates. A record number (764) of independent
candidates was also in the fray. Out of the 140 elective seats in
the Assembly, 13 were reserved for the SC and one for the ST. The
electorate had in creased from 13,117,012 in 1982 to 15,948. Female
voters outnumbered the male.
Though the elections in all the 140 constituencies were announced
the elections to two seats Vamanapuram and Kottayam - were countermanded
following the demise of two independent candidates. While the election
to the 138 constituencies were held on 23rd March, the polling took
place in the other two constituencies on 2nd June 1987. There were
1253 candidates at the hustings. The female candidates numbered
35 as against 15 in 1982.
The party-wise allocation of seats by the LDF was as follows:
PM - 70, CPM Independents - 9 , CPI - 25, CPI independent one,
IC(S) - 14, Janata - 12, Lok Dal - 2, RSP - 7.
The political alignment pattern of the UDF was:- INC - 76, ML -
23, KC(J) - 13, KC(M) - 10, NDP (P) - 9, SRP(S) - 4, RSP(S) - one
and Independent - two. The Kerala Congress (J) and the Muslim League
had given the Taliparamba and Azhikode seats respectively to the
CMP with which they had electoral understanding. Thus the UDF had
actually contested only 138 seats. The BJP - HM Front fielded 127
candidates. Some of the Hindu Munnani candidates contested under
the approved symbol of the BJP. The CMP fielded 84 candidates and
in the fray were 764 independent candidates. Of the 15,948,137 voters,
12,864,620 persons exercised their franchise which constitute 80.55
per cent of the total electorate. Invalid votes numbered 91,945.
Thus the total number of vaild votes came to 12,754,675 as against
9,573,590 in 1982.
The
result of the elections to 138 seats were announced on March 24,
1987. The results of the other two seats, where elections were held
on June 2, 1987, were announced on 3rd June. The LDF secured 5,735,402
votes which form 44.97 percent of the total valid votes. In 1982
they had got 4,523,288 votes, which constituted 47.24 percent of
the total vaild votes. In the 1987 elections the CPM won 38 seats
out of 70, the CPM Independents four out of nine, the IC (S) six
out of fourteen, the Janata seven out of twelve, the RSP five out
of seven, and the Lok Dal one out of two.
The number of voted secured by the LDF partners and its percentage
are as follows. CPM - 2,912,999 (22.84), CPM Ind. - 366,446 (2,87),
CPI - 1,1029,409 (8.07), CPI Ind - 43,970 (0.34), IC (S) - 511,777
(4,01) Janata - 482,408 ( 3.78) RSP - 310.004 (2.43) , Lok Dal -
78,389 ( 0.61).
In the 1987 elections the UDF secured 5,567,309 votes by contesting
in 138 constituencies. (Two constituents of the UDF had given one
seat each to the CMP). It formed 43.65 percent of the total vaild
votes. The INC got 33 seats out of 76, the IUML 15 out of 23, the
KC (J) five out of 13, the KC(M) four out of 10, the NDP (P) one
out of nine, the SRP(S) nil out of four, the RSP(S) nil out of one
and the independents two out of two. The number of votes secured
by the UDF constituents and percentage are as follows. -INC 3,164,259
(24.81); IUML 985,011 (7.72); KC(J) 450,472 (3.53); KC(M) 425,348
(3.33); NDP (P) 823,851 (2.23),; SRP (S) (0.58). The UDF had secured
an aggregate of 46,17,498 votes in 1982 which formed 48.23 percent
of the total vaild votes.
The difference between the votes secured by the LDF and the UDF
is 168,093. The BJP - HM Front had fielded 127 candidates but, it
could not win even a single seat. It secured 825,607 votes which
constituted 6.47 percent of the total vaild votes. The 84 candidates
of the CMP bagged 141,360 votes in all which formed 1.11 percent
of the total vaild votes. One independent candidate was returned
by the Ettumanoor constituency where he could secure 41,098 votes.
The other 764 independents bagged 443,899 votes which formed 1.11
percent of the total vaild votes. Though 35 women candidates were
in the fray, only eight were returned to the Assembly. Of the eight
women members six are new faces.
In Trivandrum and Quilon districts the UDF could bag only one seat
each whereas in some Malabar districts like Palakkad, it could win
more seats. The UDF could improve its position in that area by getting
elected to the Assembly 32 members from its contingent from this
section reduced to 21. The BJP - HM combine which fielded candidates
in 127 constituencies could secure deposits in six places only.
Their candidates finished second in three constituencies pushing
out two LDF candidates in Manjeswar and Kasaragod and one UDF candidate
in Trivandrum East. Only five Independents were able to get back
their deposits. Out of the 84 candidates of the newly thirteen candidates
of the breakaway (NDP (G) and the seven nominees of the SRP (C)
forfeited their deposits. Manjeswar is the only constituency where
no candidate had to forfeit the deposits.
The SRP(S), the UDF ally, was wiped out in this election. The INC
strength was reduced from 38 to 33, the IUML from 18 to 15, the
Kerala Congress groups from 16 to nine and the NDP from four to
one. The SRP, which drew a blank, had three members and the RSP(S)
which had the same fate at the hustings had one member in the dissolved
Assembly. The CPM which had only 26 members improved its position
to 42 including four Independents of the Party. CPI's tally rose
from 12 to 17, the Janata's from four to five. The Congress (S)
Maintained its position at six. The CMP which had four members could
get only one seat.
| ASSEMBLY
ELECTIONS (23-03-1987) |
| Seats |
Electorate |
Votes
polled |
Vaild
votes |
Percentage |
| 140 |
15,948,137 |
12,846,620 |
12,754,675 |
100 |
| Front/Party |
Seats
contested |
Seats
won |
Votes
Polled |
Percentage |
| LDF |
| CPM |
70 |
38 |
2,912,99 |
22.84 |
| CPM
Ind. |
9 |
4 |
3,66,446 |
2.87 |
| CPI |
25 |
16 |
43,970 |
0.34 |
| IC
(S) |
14 |
6 |
43,970 |
0.34 |
| Janatha |
12 |
7 |
4,82,408 |
3.78 |
| RSP |
7 |
5 |
3,10,004 |
2.43 |
| Lok
Dal |
2 |
1 |
78,389 |
0.61 |
| Total |
140 |
78 |
5,735,402 |
44.97 |
|
1991
Election
Elections to the ninth Lok Sabha were held on 22nd November
1989 in Kerala. In this election the UDF and the LDF were, as usual
the main contesting fronts. But the Kerala Congress led by Shri.
P.J.Joseph left the UDF and the leader himself contested the election
from the Muvattupuzha constituency against the official UDF candidate.
This started the drift between UDF and the Kerala Congress. As naturally
the LDF enchased the situation in their favour and the doors were
opened before the KC for an easy entry to the LDF. The allies of
both the fronts remained the same except the inclusion of CMP to
the UDF and the entry of KC as LDF partner.
The elections to the Lok Sabha and assembly were scheduled to the
held on May 23rd. The nation had suffered a great tragedy in the
death of Shri. Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of the country
at the assassins hands on 21st May 1991. Consequently the election
commission of India postponed the election proceedings to 18th June.
Of the 1,96,57,974 votes 1,44,33,354 exercised their franchise which
constitute 73.46 percent of the electorate. The total number of
valid votes came to 14186720.
793 candidates were in fray out of this 489 deposits forfeited.
Having won a majority the UDF formed its cabinet with Shri. K.Karunakaran
as the Chief Minister on 24-6-1991. Later the Chief Minister had
to leave for United States for medical treatment consequent on a
road accident. A few communal issues flared up during his absence
and there was a hue and cry for a change of leadership. Although
Shri. K. Karunakaran returned to the leadership, the clamour for
change reached its crescendo with the ISRO spy scandal.
This resulted in Shri. Karunakaran making an exit and Shri. AK Antony
was sworn in as Chief Minister on 22-3-1995. Prohibition was the
major political plank proposed by Shri. AK Antony. This was also
made main issue for the next general elections held on 27-4-1996.
|
| 1996
Election
Changes in the internal political scenario of the Kerala Congress
surfaced in the last phase of the UDF ministry, Shri. T.M. Jacob
parted with the KC (M) and contested the next elections separately
within the UDF. SRP and NDP disappeared as political entities, with
the 1996 general elections. L.D.F. formed its ministry on 20-5-1996
under the leadership of Shri. E.K. Nayanar who was not an elected
member of the assembly at that time. Later he was elected from Thalassery
constituency. As a measure of strengthening the process of decentralisation
of power the number of ministers was reduced and a 14 member cabinet
was sworn in.
| Alliance
Wise Performance - 1996 |
| 1.
Left Democratic Front |
| Parties |
Electrorate |
Votes
polled |
Vaild
votes |
Percentage |
| Communist
Party of India (Marxist) |
62 |
40 |
3078723 |
21.58 |
| Communist
Party of India |
22 |
18 |
1086350 |
7.62 |
| Janatha
Dal |
13 |
4 |
587716 |
4.12 |
| Indian
Congress (Socialist) |
9 |
3 |
355755 |
2.49 |
| Revolutionary
Socialist Party |
6 |
5 |
294744 |
2.07 |
| Kerala
Congress |
10 |
6 |
4424421 |
3.10 |
| LDF
Independent |
18 |
4 |
665383 |
4.89 |
| Total |
140 |
80 |
6510935 |
45.88 |
| 2.
Unites Democratic Front |
| Parties |
Electrorate |
Votes
polled |
Vaild
votes |
Percentage |
| Indian
National Congress |
94 |
67 |
4340717 |
4.89 |
| Muslim
League |
22 |
13 |
1025556 |
7.19 |
| Kerala
Congress (M) |
10 |
5 |
453614 |
3.18 |
| Janadhipatha
Samrakshana Samithy |
4 |
2 |
162114 |
1.14 |
| Kerala
Congress (B) |
2 |
1 |
182210 |
1.28 |
| Communist
Marxist Party |
2 |
0 |
69704 |
0.49 |
| UDF
Independent |
2 |
0 |
69602 |
0.49 |
| Total |
140 |
59 |
6394985 |
44.84 |
| 3.
Bharathiya Janatha Party |
127 |
0 |
781090 |
5.48 |
|
BJP Independents |
- |
- |
76,076 |
0.54 |
| 4.
Independents & others |
641 |
1 |
327730 |
|
2001
Election
Election
to the 11th assembly was held on May 10 ,2001 in which UDF got 99
seats and the 11th Kerala Assembly was sworn in to power on the
17th of May 2001 with Shri. A.K.Antony as Chief Minister. The cabinet
comprised of 20 ministers. Shri. Vakkom Purushothaman was elected
as speaker. Shri. Sundaram Nadar sworn in as Deputy Speaker.
Party Position as on May 14, 2001
Total Seats - 140
|
| UDF
- 99 |
LDF
- 40 |
| Indian
National Congress 62 |
Communist
Party of India(Marxist) 23 |
| Muslim
League 16 |
Communist
Party of India 7 |
| Kerala
Congress(M) 9 |
Janatha
Dal (Secular) 3 |
| Janadhipathya
Samrakshana Samithi 4 |
Kerala
Congress (Joseph) 2 |
| Revolutionary
Socialist Party(Bolshevik) 2 |
Revolutionary
Socialist Party 2 |
| Kerala
Congress (Jacob) 2 |
Nationalist
Congress Party 2 |
| Kerala
Congress(B) 2 |
Communist
Party of India(Marxist) Independent 1 |
| Communist
Marxist Party 1 |
- |
| Muslim
League(Independent) 1 |
- |
| |
KERALA
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
Polling
Percentage
| Year
of Election |
No. of Seats |
Electorate |
Votes polled |
Percentage |
| 1957 |
126 |
8,851,443 |
5,899,822 |
66.62 |
| 1960 |
126 |
9,601,601 |
8,228,812 |
85.70 |
| 1965 |
133 |
8,557,716 |
6,428,937 |
75.12 |
| 1967 |
133 |
8,613,658 |
6,518,272 |
75.67 |
| 1970 |
133 |
10,168,467 |
7,634,451 |
75.07 |
| 1977 |
140 |
11,462,487 |
9,078,459 |
79.20 |
| 1980 |
140 |
13,263,837 |
9,587,663 |
72.28 |
| 1982 |
140 |
19,117,012 |
9,649,083 |
73.56 |
| 1987 |
140 |
15,944,280 |
12,839,457 |
80.53 |
| 1991 |
140 |
19,646,607 |
114,33,354 |
73.46 |
| 1996 |
140 |
20,667,409 |
14,706,806 |
71.16 |
2006
Election
Election
to the 12 thassembly was conducted in three phases on april 22nd
,29th and May3rd.The LDF won with 98 seats,.The 19 member LDF ministry
was sworn into power on 18nth may 2006 with Shri.V.S.Achuthanandan
as the chief minister.Shri.k.Radhakrishnan was elected as the speaker
and deputy speaker is Shri. Jose baby.
In the 140 member house, the LDF secured 98 seats, the UDF secured
41 seats and the DIC (K) secured 1 seat. The LDF has got 48.63 percent
of the votes poled and the UDF got 42.98 percent. The difference
between the two fronts is 5.65 percentage points.
The
party position in the 2006 KLA Election is as given below
LDF
CPI
(M) 61
CPI
17
JD(S) 5
Kerala
Congress (J) 4
RSP
3
Congress
(S) 1
NCP
1
Kerala
congress (S) 1
INL
1
IND
– CPI(M) Backed 4
Total
98
UDF
Congress 24
IUML 7
Kerala congress (M) 7
JSS 1
Kerala congress (B) 1
IND 1
Total 41
DIC
(K) 1
POLITICAL BACKGROUND
When
Kerala was formed, the State was under President's rule. The new
State went to the polls for the first time in March 1957. There
were 126 Assembly and 16 Parliamentary seats. The Communist Party
of India emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly with
60 seats. Shri E.M.S.Namboodiripad formed an 11 member ministry
on April 5, 1957 with the support of some independents. Political
agitation and unrest extending over several months, culminated in
the taking over of the administration of the State and the dissolution
of the Legislative Assembly, under Article 356 of the Constitution,
by the president of India, on July 31, 1959. Mid-term elections
followed in February next year.
A
three party alliance comprising of the Congress, the Praja Socialist
Party and the Muslim League, was returned to power. Shri Pattom
A.Thanu Pillai (PSP) took over as the coalition Chief Minister,
leading a council of eleven ministers, in February 1960. Shri R.Sankar
(Congress) was designated as the Deputy Chief Minister. Shri. Pattom
A.Thanu Pillai however, resigned on September 25, 1962, consequent
on a gubernatorial appointment, Shri.R.Sankar was appointed Chief
Minister the next day. Shri.Sankar continued as Chief Minister for
about two years.
A
political crisis precipitated in September 1964, when about 15 Congress
legislators lent their support to a no-confidence motion against
the ministry. The motion was carried. The legislature was dissolved
on September 10 and the State thereupon passed under President's
rule. Elections were held in March 1965. A fresh delimitation of
constituencies had taken place in between. There were 133 Assembly
and 19 Parliamentary constituencies. The election proved abortive
in the sense that no single party could form a ministry commanding
majority support. Once again on 25th March, 1965, Kerala was put
under President's administration.
The
State went to the polls two year later at the time of the general
elections in March 1967. A new polarization of political forces
had emerged in the meantime, leading to new electoral alliances.
Politically the most potent combination was the new united front
of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of
India, the Muslim League, the Revolutionary Socialist Party, the
Karshaka Thozhilali Party and the Kerala Socialist Party. This seven-party
combine was voted to power leading to the formation of a ministry
headed by Shri.E.M.S.Namboodiripad (CPI-M). The Cabinet consisted
of four members of the Marxist Party, two each of the CPI, the Muslim
League and the SSP and one each of the RSP, the KTP and the KSP.
Shri.Namboodiripad's second ministry had a chequered tenure until
one of the ministers of the original SSP constituent, who had inter
alia left the party to join the newly formed Indian Socialist Party
group, had to resign from the Cabinet to face a judicial enquiry.
The ministers belonging to the C.P.I., the Muslim League, the RSP
and the KSP tendered their resignation in October 1969. Shri Namboodiripad
himself resigned on 24th October, 1969. As distinct from previous
crises, the legislature was intact. A fresh alignment of forces
with the Assembly initiated the formation of an eight-member cabinet
headed by Shri.C.Achutha Menon (CPI) in November 1969. The ruling
alliance consisted of the CPI, the KSP, the Muslim League, the R.S.P.
and the Kerala Congress. The Assembly was dissolved on 26th June,
1970 on the advice of the Chief Minister who tendered the resignation
of his council of ministers on 1st August 1970.
Elections
were held in September, 1970. The partners of the ruling front now
included the Indian National Congress, the CPI, the RSP, the Muslim
League and the Praja Socialist Party and were returned with a considerable
majority. Shri.C.Achutha Menon formed his second ministry on 4th
October, 1970. The Indian National Congress supported the front
Government without joining it. The cabinet was expanded on two occasions,
once when the Indian National Congress joined it in September 1971
and for the second time in December, 1975 to accommodate Kerala
Congress nominees. The fourth Legislative Assembly was unique in
many respects. It emerged as the first Assembly in the chequered
post-independence history of the State which completed its normal
constitutional term. Moreover, the normal term of the Assembly was
extended on three occasions - for a period of six months from 22nd
October, 1975, for a second period of six months from 22nd April,
1976 and for yet another six months from 22nd October, 1976.
Elections
were then held in March 1977, the sixth to be held since the formation
of the State. The ruling front, essentially a continuation of the
previous alignment of forces, won a decisive majority. Cabinet leadership
now passed on to Shri.K.Karunakaran of the Congress who formed a
ministry on March 25, 1977. But this ministry was short-lived. Shri.Karunakaran
tendered the resignation of his cabinet on April 25, 1977 following
certain reference by the Kerala High Court in what had been known
as the Rajan case. Shri.A.K.Antony (Congress) became the next Chief
Minister. However, in the wake of differences of opinion of the
Congress Working Committee on the attitude of the Congress vis-a-vis
parliamentary by-election at Chikkamagalur in Karnataka, Shri Antony
resigned his Chief Ministership on October 27, 1978. Shri.P.K.Vasudevan
Nair (CPI) took over as Chief Minister on October 29, 1978. But
his ministry also resigned on October 7, 1979 in order to create
a favourable atmosphere for the formation of a Left Democratic Front
in Kerala. Shri.C.H.Muhammad Koya was sworn-in as Chief Minister
on October 12, 1979, but the four member ministry could continue
in office only for a short term. The ministry resigned on December
1, 1979 and the Assembly was dissolved. Again President's rule was
invoked in Kerala up to 24th January 1980. Political alignment in
Kerala had then undergone a sea change involving a drastic regrouping
of major political parties.
The
stage was set for the eventual emergence of two political combines
- the Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front. In
the 1980 Assembly polls, out of the 140 elective seats in the Assembly,
13 were reserved for scheduled castes and one for scheduled tribes.
The LDF bagged 93 seats. Shri.E.K.Nayanar, leader of the L.D.F.
headed a 17 member ministry which assumed office on 25th January,
1980. Despite the thumping majority for the LDF, there arose ideological
differences among the ruling partners and it culminated in the withdrawal
of support to the ministry by the Congress (S). The curtain fell
down on 20th October 1981 when the eight-member Kerala Congress
(M) also withdrew support to the Government. Shri.E.K.Nayanar tendered
resignation of the ministry and President's rule was introduced
on 21st October 1981. Again political realignment took place. The
Kerala Congress (M) and the Congress(S) joined the U.D.F. An eight-member
U.D.F. ministry was sworn in on 28th December 1981 with Shri K.Karunakaran
(Congress-I) as the leader. It was the twelfth ministry in Kerala
since the formation of the State. The Congress (S) broke into two
factions. The major group supported the Government. Another split
took place in the Janatha Party also and a section lent support
to the ministry. A member of the Kerala Congress (M) later withdrew
his backing to the Government and it resulted in the resignation
of the ministry and dissolution of the Assembly on March 17, 1982.
The State fell under President's rule for the seventh time. Mid-term
elections to the seventh Kerala Assembly were held on May 19, 1982.
The nominees of the UDF and the LDF were the main political contestants.
The U.D.F. won 77 seats. The 19 member U.D.F. Ministry with Shri.K.Karunakaran
as its leader assumed office on 24th May 1982. During the regime
of the U.D.F. Government the major events that took place, were
the merger of the INC (I) and INC(A) in November 1982, the merger
of the two rival factions of the Muslim League (IUML and AIML) in
August 1985 and the splits in the N.D.P., the Janata (J) and the
SRP. That ministry could complete the full term of office. The U.D.F.
Ministry resigned office soon after the announcement of the election
results on March 24, 1987. The ninth election to the eighth Kerala
Assembly was held on March 23, 1987, about two months in advance
of the due date. The electorate numbered 1,59,94,280 as in the case
of the two previous elections, the U.D.F. And the L.D.F. were the
contestants. The U.D.F. consisted of INC, IUML, KC(J), KC(M), SRP(S),
NDP(P) and RSP(S). It fielded two independent candidates. The KC(J)
and the IUML had given one each of their seats-Thaliparamba and
Azhikode - to the Communist Marxist Party with which they had electoral
adjustments and understanding. The LDF comprised of CPI(M), CPI,
RSP, IC(S), Janatha and Lokdal. A third political front had also
emerged with the B.J.P. And the Hindu Munnani, as constituents which
put up 127 candidates. The presence of 84 candidates fielded by
the newly born Communist Marxist Party led by Shri.M.V.Raghavan
who was expelled from the CPM, added a new dimension to the poll.
In the elections, the LDF came out victorious by securing 78 seats,
pushing the UDF to the opposition with 60 seats. An independent
and one CMP candidate also won the elections. A five-member ministry
under the Chief Ministership of Shri.E.K.Nayanar assumed charge
of office on March 26, 1987. The ministry was expanded on April
3, 1987 by including 14 more members in the Cabinet. Later the Janatha
Dal recommended to the Cabinet, the name of Prof. N.M.Joseph in
the place of Shri.M.P.Veerendra Kumar. Shri.Varkala Radhakrishnan
was elected Speaker and Smt.Bhargavi Thankappan as Deputy Speaker,
in the first sitting of the Assembly.
In a move to decentralize power, the L.D.F. Ministry brought in
the District council. In the elections to this council held in December
1990, the front came out victorious. Subsequently, early general
elections to the assembly were declared and were scheduled for 23rd
May 1991, though the tenure of the ministry extended up to March
1992. Consequent to the assassination of Shri.Rajiv Gandhi, former
Prime Minister, on 21st May, barely two days before the dates fixed
for the polls, the elections were postponed to 12th June, 1991.
Elections were held as per the revised schedule in 139 constituencies
as polls in the Eattumanoor constituency was countermanded, because
of the death of one of the candidates there. The total electorate
numbered 1,95,12,248 and the votes polled were 1,43,33,377 (73%).In
the elections, the U.D.F. emerged victors with 89 seats, their constituents
being INC, ML, KC(M), KC (B), CMP, NDP and independents. The 9th
Kerala Assembly was sworn in to power on 24th June 1991, with Shri.K.Karunakaran
as the Chief Minister. The ministry comprised of 19 ministers, drawn
from INC, ML, NDP, KC(M), KC(B), KC(J) and CMP. Shri.P.P.Thankachan
was elected speaker. This ministry completed its full term of five
years with a change of Chief Minister and Speaker in between. On
22nd March, 1995, Shri.K.Karunakarana took up a berth in the union
cabinet, making way for Shri.A.K.Antony to take up the Chief Ministership.
When Shri.P.P.Thankachan became the Agriculture Minister, Shri.Therambil
Ramakrishnan was elected as Speaker in his place. As in previous
years the L.D.F. Were the main contestants in the elections to the
10th Kerala Assembly. The L.D.F. Consisted of CPI(M), CPI, Janatha
Dal, Congress (S), Kerala Congress (J), R.S.P. And the U.D.F. Consisted
of INC, ML, KC (Jacob), KC (M), KC(B) and CMP. Tilting the balance,
the L.D.F. Emerged winners and the 10th Kerala Assembly was sworn
in to power on the 20th of May 1996 with Shri.E.K.Nayanar as Chief
Minister. The cabinet comprised of 14 ministers drawn from CPI (M),
CPI, JD, INC(S), K.C.(J) and RSP. Shri.M.Vijaya Kumar was elected
as Speaker. Election to the 11th assembly was held on May 10 ,2001
in which UDF got 99 seats and the 11th Kerala Assembly was sworn
in to power on the 17th of May 2001 with Shri.A.K.Antony as Chief
Minister. The cabinet comprised of 20 ministers. Mr. Vakkom Purushothaman
was elected as speaker. Shri. Sundaram Nadar sworn in as Deputy
Speaker.Shri.A.K.Antony rendered the resignation of his cabinet
on august 29, 2004. A five member ministry under the chief ministership
of Oommen chandy assumed charge of office on August 31,2004. Shri.Therambil
Ramakrishnan was elected as the Speaker.The ministry was further
expanded to a 20 members cabinet. INC faced a split in 2005,a new
party ,DIC[K] was formed under the leadership of veteran congress
leader K.Karunakaran on may 1 st 2005.
Election to the 12 assembly was conducted in three phases on april
22nd ,29th and May3rd.The LDF won with 98 seats,.The 19 member LDF
ministry was sworn into power on 18nth may 2006 with Shri.V.S.Achuthanandan
as the chief minister.Shri.k.Radhakrishnan was elected as the speaker
and deputy speaker is Shri. Jose baby. In the 140 member house,
the LDF secured 98 seats, the UDF secured 41 seats and the DIC (K)
secured 1 seat. The LDF has got 48.63 percent of the votes poled
and the UDF got 42.98 percent. The difference between the two fronts
is 5.65 percentage points.
|
|