The Lok Sabha elections of 1962 had a number of firsts to its credit. Unlike the previous two elections, which spanned months, these elections were conducted in just under a week, between 19 and 25 February, 1962.
It was the first time ever in independent India’s history that there was a downward swing of votes for the Indian National Congress.
Of the 494 seats contested, they won 361 seats, down by 10 seats from the previous elections. Nevertheless, it was still a land-slide victory with the Congress holding on to over 70 per cent of the seats in the Lok Sabha.
The biggest development during this time was the rise of Indira Gandhi. While she had been assisting her father in an unofficial capacity through most of the 1950s, she was elected president of the Indian National Congress in 1959, which marked her official entry into Indian politics.
The 1962 elections were the last time Nehru contested for the Congress. He passed away two years later on 27 May 1964, while still in office.
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