Election Results

The verdict of the people is unambiguous though some election results have yet to be announced. The success of the Congress at the polls was a foregone conclusion, the only point in doubt being whether it would emerge from the elections with an enhanced or a reduced majority. Mr Nehru's immense popularity, the Socialist ideology of the Congress, the absence of a strong Opposition party and the association of the Congress in the public mind with the party which had led the country to freedom combined to ensure the triumph of the Congress.

Click here for a larger view of editorial published on March 2, 1962

The ruling party in an underdeveloped country suffers from one disadvantage — it cannot produce spectacular results because of the magnitude of the problem of economic development and it has to ask for sacrifices from the people during the take-off period of growth. In a country where parochial loyalties are strong and where the people easily succumb to the insidious appeal of regionalism and are easily stirred by religious appeals, a truly national party has to combat with deep-rooted prejudices — a fight in which some reverses are inevitable. The Congress lost some seats because of dissensions within its ranks and because it has not been able to stamp out corruption in the administration, deal resolutely with anti-socia1 elements, live up to its Socialist professions and provide dynamic leadership at all levels.

Read More: Punjab Assembly Elections — 1962

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• General Election in Punjab
• Election Results
• Biggest Revolution in India
• 14 Women Candidates In Field
• Punjabi Suba Harmful To Common Man
• No Promise Held Out On Commission’s Personnel
• 862 Candidates Left In Election Field
• Peaceful Polling in Punjab
• 1,251 In The Field For 154 Assembly Seats
• Final party position in Punjab Assembly
• Prominent People

Another factor which reduced the Congress votes at some places was the combination of Opposition parties against the Congress despite their divergences in policies. The victory of Congress at the polls is the victory for secularism, nationalism and democratic Socialism.  The election results are also a warning that, unless the Congress sheds its weaknesses and lives up to its professions, it will find its supremacy increasingly challenged.  The Congress should not forget that in the long run the survival of a political party depends upon its ability to inspire confidence among the masses and that the advantages which it enjoys at present because of the weaknesses of its opponents cannot last long.  The victory of the Congress should not lull it into complacency.