Sixth Punjab Legislative Assembly

The Sixth Punjab Legislative Assembly was the elected law-making body of the Indian state of Punjab formed after the 1972 Vidhan Sabha election. It followed the political instability that emerged after the 1969 election, when parties were unable to sustain a stable governing arrangement and a mid-term election became necessary. The 1972 contest produced a clear lead for the Indian National Congress, which won 66 of the legislature's 104 seats. Congress had entered a pre-election alliance with the Communist Party of India, and the two parties together secured enough support to form a coalition ministry on 17 March 1972 under Chief Minister Giani Zail Singh. The Shiromani Akali Dal, with 24 seats, became the official opposition. The assembly's term was marked by political conflict within both the governing coalition and the Congress organization. Disagreements between Congress and the Communist Party of India intensified over student protests and strikes by teachers in privately managed colleges. The CPI eventually withdrew its support from the Zail Singh ministry on 13 November 1972, ending the coalition arrangement and leaving Congress to manage the legislature without its former ally. Opposition and dissident legislators subsequently tested the government's majority through no-confidence motions. A motion introduced in December 1972 by Akali Dal leaders Surjit Singh Barnala and Ajaib Singh Sandhu alleged corruption and maladministration but was defeated by voice vote. Earlier CPI notices had not been admitted because they lacked the numerical support required under the assembly's rules. A separate institutional controversy concerned Speaker Darbara Singh. A committee report on alleged land grabbing reportedly referred to the Speaker, and the state government advised him to resign. In July 1973, 39 of the 68 Congress legislators called for his immediate resignation, while Swaran Singh supported him. The Congress high command later cleared Darbara Singh, but he ultimately resigned after the dispute. Deputy Speaker Kewal Kishan succeeded him as Speaker. The government faced another no-confidence challenge in August 1974. A motion associated with Satyapal Dang and seven other legislators was rejected for failing to meet the admission threshold. A second motion, presented by Parkash Singh Badal and three other members, was admitted on grounds including inflation, corruption and deterioration of law and order. It was defeated by 60 votes to 26. The assembly's later years unfolded during India's National Emergency, declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's government in June 1975. Punjab saw substantial opposition activity, particularly from the Shiromani Akali Dal and protests associated with the Akal Takht at Amritsar. The Emergency enabled the assembly's term, originally due to expire on 21 March 1977, to be extended by one month. After the Janata Party formed the Union government following the March 1977 general election, the new central administration urged the Punjab ministry to advise dissolution and seek a fresh mandate. The advice was resisted, and the constitutional dispute reached the Supreme Court, which upheld the central government's position. On 30 April 1977, the Acting President issued a proclamation under Article 356 dissolving the Punjab Assembly along with assemblies in nine other states. President's rule followed, bringing the Sixth Punjab Legislative Assembly to an end.

The Sixth Punjab Legislative Assembly originated in the 1972 state election, which was held before the normal end of the preceding assembly because political parties had failed to establish a durable government after the 1969 election. The election returned a 104-member legislature. Congress won 66 seats, and its pre-election understanding with the Communist Party of India produced a combined total of 76 seats. This arrangement enabled the formation of a coalition ministry on 17 March 1972, with Giani Zail Singh as chief minister. The Shiromani Akali Dal, holding 24 seats, served as the official opposition. The coalition soon encountered policy and political disagreements. Tensions between Congress and the CPI were particularly associated with student agitation and strikes by teachers in Punjab's private colleges. Congress also consolidated its own legislative position, reducing its dependence on the CPI. On 13 November 1972 the CPI declared that it was withdrawing support from the Zail Singh ministry. The government then faced attempts to challenge its majority. A no-confidence motion moved on 12 December 1972 by Surjit Singh Barnala and Ajaib Singh Sandhu of the Akali Dal accused the ministry of corruption and maladministration. It was debated and defeated by voice vote. Earlier CPI motions had not been admitted because they did not meet the required support threshold under the assembly's rules. The assembly also experienced an internal leadership dispute over Speaker Darbara Singh. A report of the Harchand Singh Committee on land-grabbing allegations reportedly included the Speaker's name. The state government advised him to resign, but he initially refused. In July 1973, 39 of the 68 Congress legislators called for his immediate departure. Swaran Singh supported Darbara Singh, and the Congress high command subsequently exonerated him. Despite that development, Darbara Singh later resigned from the speakership, and Deputy Speaker Kewal Kishan took over. The ministry survived another parliamentary challenge in 1974. Two no-confidence notices were received on 5 August. The notice associated with Satyapal Dang and seven other members was rejected because it lacked the prescribed level of support. A second motion, submitted by Parkash Singh Badal and three other members, was admitted. Its stated grounds included inflation, corruption and a breakdown of law and order. After debate, 26 members voted for the motion and 60 against it. The final phase of the assembly coincided with the National Emergency declared by the Union government in June 1975. The Emergency extended the assembly's tenure by one month beyond its scheduled expiry on 21 March 1977. Punjab experienced organized opposition to the Emergency, especially from the Shiromani Akali Dal, with activity linked to the Akal Takht at Amritsar. After the Janata Party formed the Union government in March 1977, the central administration urged the Punjab ministry to advise dissolution and request a new mandate. The advice was rejected, and the issue was contested before the Supreme Court. The court upheld the constitutional validity of the central government's approach. On 30 April 1977, the Acting President issued proclamations under Article 356 dissolving Punjab's assembly and those of nine other states. President's rule followed, ending the Sixth Punjab Legislative Assembly.

• 1977

  Assembly dissolved

  [1]6th Punjab Assemblyen.wikipedia.org

  The assembly was dissolved on 30 April under Article 356 after the constitutional dispute over the Union government's recommendation was upheld.

• 1974

  Second no-confidence motion defeated

  [1]6th Punjab Assemblyen.wikipedia.org

  The motion led by Parkash Singh Badal was defeated 60–26.

• 1973

  Speaker Darbara Singh resigns

  [1]6th Punjab Assemblyen.wikipedia.org

  Following an extended dispute within Congress, Darbara Singh left the speakership and Kewal Kishan succeeded him.

• 1972

  Sixth Punjab Assembly election

  [1]6th Punjab Assemblyen.wikipedia.org

  Congress won 66 of the 104 seats, with the CPI alliance bringing the combined governing strength to 76 seats. The Shiromani Akali Dal won 24 seats and became the official opposition.

• 1972

  Coalition ministry formed

  [1]6th Punjab Assemblyen.wikipedia.org

  A Congress–CPI coalition ministry was formed on 17 March under Chief Minister Giani Zail Singh.

• 1972

  CPI withdraws support

  [1]6th Punjab Assemblyen.wikipedia.org

  The CPI announced on 13 November that it would leave the governing alliance.

A state legislative institution responsible for lawmaking, executive accountability and representation in Punjab during its 1972–1977 term.

• 1973

  Land-grabbing report and Speaker controversy

  The Harchand Singh Committee's report on land-grabbing allegations reportedly referred to Speaker Darbara Singh. The issue contributed to pressure for his resignation and intensified factional conflict within the Congress legislature party.

  Source

Read more

• 1977

  Dissolution under Article 356Other

  Background

  After the Janata Party took office at the Union level, the central government sought dissolution of the Punjab Assembly and a fresh mandate. The matter was challenged and the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the central approach.

  Action taken

  The Acting President issued a proclamation dissolving the assembly on 30 April 1977.

  Aftermath

  President's rule was imposed in Punjab and the Sixth Assembly ceased to exist.

  Source

• 1973

  Change in the speakershipOther

  Background

  Congress factional conflict and controversy surrounding the Harchand Singh Committee report placed pressure on Speaker Darbara Singh.

  Action taken

  Darbara Singh resigned and Deputy Speaker Kewal Kishan became Speaker.

  Aftermath

  Kewal Kishan presided over the subsequent 1974 no-confidence proceedings and the assembly's final years.

  Source

• 1972

  Congress and CPI form a coalition ministryStrategy

  Background

  The 1972 election produced a Congress plurality and a pre-election alliance with the CPI that together held 76 of 104 seats.

  Action taken

  Congress and the CPI formed a ministry on 17 March 1972 with Giani Zail Singh as chief minister.

  Aftermath

  Disagreements over protests and labor disputes later led the CPI to withdraw its support in November 1972.

  Source

1. 16th Punjab Assemblyen.wikipedia.org