The Beginning of India’s Historic First Election
It was the morning of March 26, 1952, an unforgettable moment as independent India began the process of electing representatives. For the first time, ordinary citizens stood in queues, waiting for their turn to cast a ballot. No one knew what the outcome would be—a decision that would be remembered in the annals of Indian democracy.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had issued clear instructions to strengthen democracy. Yet, an episode occurred that forced the power corridors of Delhi to reconsider their approaches. The tale from Bihar’s Dharmdaha assembly constituency turned out to be both unexpected and fascinating. Shockingly, during those first elections, Dharmdaha did not elect just one representative, but two legislators—both at the same time.
Dharmdaha’s Echo Reaches Delhi
The situation became so complex that Nehru himself voiced his frustration on a visit to Bihar. Speaking openly, he stated, “I have not come here to meet people of a particular community, but to meet Indians.” Internal politics in Bihar’s Congress camp was at a fever pitch, with senior leaders rebelling against their own party candidates. The matter escalated to the point where Maulana Abul Kalam Azad had to visit Patna to restore calm.
This event marked a new turning point in Indian political history and became a subject of extensive discussion for years to come.
How Did Dharmdaha Elect Two Legislators?
In that election, both winners from the Dharmdaha constituency were from the Congress party: Bhola Paswan Shastri and Laxmi Narayan Sudhanshu. Both received nearly equal votes—26,588 for Shastri and 26,453 for Sudhanshu. Dharmdaha was not the only constituency with such a result; up to fifty other seats in Bihar also elected two representatives simultaneously. It was a feature of the voting system at the time and remained in place until 1962, after which changes were implemented.
An Unusual Voting Process
After independence, about 86.6% of Bihar’s population was illiterate. To address the challenge, the Election Commission designed a simple process using different colored ballot boxes for each candidate. Voters were handed a pink ballot—about the size of a one-rupee note—and marked their choice, dropping their ballot into the box of their preferred candidate. The counting of these ballots determined the winner.
The Election Commission had to create nearly two million ballot boxes, using approximately 8,200 tons of steel for the endeavour.
The Mystery and Worship of Ballot Boxes
After the first election, the opening of ballot boxes led to astonishing revelations. Many boxes contained flowers, vermillion, deity images, coins, and notes instead of ballots. Rural voters, encountering the ballot box for the first time, treated it as a sacred object and made offerings. Election officials were stunned to find entire boxes filled with such tokens. This was the first voting experience for Bihar’s villagers, but today, the same Bihar votes with cutting-edge EVM machines.
Corruption in the First Election
Corruption existed in the initial elections of 1952, as documented by socialist leader Rambriksh Benipuri in his diaries. At the time, slogans such as ‘Roti, Kapda Aur Makaan’ (bread, clothing, and shelter) were prevalent during elections. With the election season, rumours and campaign tactics became part of Bihar’s voting culture. In 1952, a major rumour about arson at Nalanda University was spread, misleading voters. Since the first election, using rumours and caste equations to win has been a common practice.
The Role of Caste and Rumours in Bihar’s Politics
Even after decades, caste politics continues to shape Bihar’s elections. The use of rumours and negative narratives to sway voters has only intensified over the years. Elected leaders often appear focused on winning votes, sometimes at the expense of social unity.
Dharmdaha’s Contemporary Political Scenario
Today, Dharmdaha is an assembly seat won consistently by Leshi Singh, and caste remains the prime factor in electoral outcomes. Predicting the results of the 2025 elections is difficult, but the longstanding caste formulas are likely to play a decisive role once again. Nehru’s warning, even today, seems only partially addressed.
Conclusion and What Lies Ahead
This captivating anecdote from Bihar’s electoral history reflects the evolution of the voting system, social dynamics, and the richness of India’s democracy. Stay tuned for more intriguing stories and insights.
