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1959 Pondicherry Representative Assembly election

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All 39 seats to the Puducherry Representative Assembly 20 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader V. Venkatasubba Reddiar V.Subbiah Party Indian National Congress People's Front Leader's seat Nettapakkam Murungapakkam-Nainar Mandapam Last election 20 16 Seats before 22 12 Seats won 21 13 Seat change 1 1 Percentage 38.4% 31.6%
Chief Minister before election Édouard Goubert Indian National Congress Elected Chief Minister V. Venkatasubba Reddiar Indian National Congress

After the de facto merger on 1 November 1954 and before the legal integration with the Indian Union on 16 August 1962, second general elections were held in August 1959 to constitute Second Pondicherry Representative Assembly.

Background

the Congress, with the support of independents, was able to form a Government after first elections in 1955. However, that government was not stable as the ruling party was ridden with personal strife and factions. The Government of India had to intervene finally by dissolving the Assembly and the Chief Commissioner took over the administration in October 1958. Later, after nine months, second general elections were held to the Pondicherry Representative Assembly in 1959 from 11 to 14 August.

Results

The results of 1959 election were summarized below:

	Parties and Coalitions	Won	Votes	Vote %	Change
	Indian National Congress	21	60,636	38.4	1
	People's Front	13	49,505	31.6	1
	Independents and others	5	47,162	30
	TOTAL	39	1,57,030	100	N.A.

Another reference with some change in voteshare were summarized below:

	Parties and Coalitions	Won	Votes	Vote %	Change
	Indian National Congress	21	64,000	41.1	1
	People's Front	13	53,800	34.3	1
	Independents and others	5	38,600	24.6
	TOTAL	39	1,57,000	100	N.A.

However, during 1963, the state of parties in the Representative Assembly was: Congress, 24; People's Front (Makkaḷ Munnaṇi (Tamil:மக்கள் முன்னணி)), 12; Praja Socialist Party, 1; Independents, 2.

Members of the 1959 Pondicherry Representative Assembly

Council of ministers of Reddiar (1959-1963)

Under supervision of then chief commissioner L.R.S Singh a Council of ministers was formed under leadership of V. Venkatasubba Reddiar: on 9 September 1959. President of the assembly that is equivalent to speaker was A. S. Gangeyan.

Council of ministers of Goubert (1963-1964)

The French settlements of India were de jure transferred on 16 August 1962. Pondicherry Representative Assembly functioned until June 30, 1963, and succeeded by Puducherry Legislative Assembly. The Indian Parliament enacted the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 that came into force on 1 July 1963, and the pattern of Government prevailing in the rest of the country was introduced in this territory also, but subject to certain limitations. Edouard Goubert became the chief minister in the subsequent Pondicherry Legislative Assembly.

In the First Legislative Assembly of Pondicherry, under supervision of then chief commissioner S.K. Datta a Council of ministers was formed under leadership of Édouard Goubert: on 1 July 1963. Speaker was A. S. Gangeyan.

Trivia

In Yanam, for Kanakalapeta constituency, two independents secured exactly 707 votes each and so to decide the winner, lots were cast. Finally, Kamichetty Savithri was declared winner. In the same constituency, Congress candidate polled only 8 votes.

See also

• Puducherry Legislative Assembly
• 1946 French India Representative Assembly election
• 1951 French India Representative Assembly election
• 1955 Pondicherry Representative Assembly election
• Elections in Puducherry

References

1. "India, A Reference Annual 1956". Publications Division. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 1956. p. 494.
2. G.C.Malhotra (1964). Cabinet Responsibility to Legislature. Metropolitan Book Co. Pvt. Ltd. p. 464. ISBN 9788120004009.
3. ^ K. K., Rajagopalan (September 12, 1959). "Pondicherry Assembly Elections An Analysis" (PDF). The Economic Weekly. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
4. A.M.Zaidi (1990). The Story of Congress Pilgrimage: 1964-1970. Vol. 6. Indian Institute of Applied Political Research, New Delhi. p. 38. ISBN 9788185355528.
5. S. Steinberg (1960). The Statesman's Year-Book 1960: The One-Volume ENCYCLOPAEDIA of all nations. MACMILLAN&Co.LTD, London. ISBN 9780230270893.
6. ^ Rajagopalan, K. K. (12 September 1959). "Pondicherry Assembly Elections : An Analysis" (PDF) (PDF). The Economic Weekly. p. 1269. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
7. ^ S. Steinberg (1963). The Statesman's Year-Book 1963: The One-Volume ENCYCLOPAEDIA of all nations. MACMILLAN&Co.LTD, London. ISBN 9780230270923.
8. "India A Reference Annual 1962". Publications Division. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 1962. p. 499.
9. ^ G. C. Malhotra (2004). Cabinet Responsibility to Legislature. Lok Sabha Secretariat. ISBN 9788120004009.
10. "The Government of Union Territories Act, 1963" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
11. Ajaib Singh, Bureau of Statistics (1963). "The Union Territory of Pondicherry, Maps & Charts" (PDF). Government of Pondicherry.
12. Rajagopalan, K (12 September 1959). "Pondicherry Assembly Elections" (PDF). Economic and Political Weekly (37).

Notes

1. Thirty-four Communist candidates stood under the banner of the People's Front.
2. i.e. Praja Socialist Party
3. Thirty-four Communist candidates stood under the banner of the People's Front.
4. i.e. Praja Socialist Party
5. i.e. Kanakalapeta constituency
6. i.e. Independent
7. i.e. Adi Andhrapeta constituency
8. i.e. People's Front
9. Kamichetty Savithri and Yerra Jagannadha Rao
10. There was a rumour that on both of lots the name of Kamichetty Savithri was written. Thus ensuring her victory.

• State Assembly elections in Puducherry
• French India
• Elections in France
• 1959 State Assembly elections in India