Andhra Pradesh Assembly Election

In the 1955 Andhra State Legislative Assembly elections, the Indian National Congress (INC), led by Tanguturi Prakasam, secured a decisive majority in the first-ever assembly polls of the newly formed Andhra State. Conducted between 11 and 16 February 1955, the election saw the Congress win 119 out of 196 seats, capturing about 47% of the popular vote. The Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Krishikar Lok Party (KLP) emerged as notable challengers, each securing 15 seats, while independents and smaller parties claimed the remaining constituencies. Voter turnout stood at 46.71%, reflecting the early stage of democratic participation in the region. This victory enabled Tanguturi Prakasam to become the Chief Minister, and the assembly functioned until 1 November 1956, when Andhra State merged with Telangana (from Hyderabad State) to form the united Andhra Pradesh.

This election reflected regional balance between Coastal Andhra and Telangana, as leaders from both sides had to be accommodated after the merger.
The Swatantra Party (founded by C. Rajagopalachari in 1959) contested its first election here and secured a modest presence, appealing to landowners and business groups.
Congress dominance continued, but the rise of CPI signaled growing discontent, especially in Telangana, where land reforms and peasant issues were more pressing.

The Indian National Congress (INC) retained power with 165 seats, though its margin was reduced compared to 1962.
Kasu Brahmananda Reddy (INC) became the Chief Minister, replacing Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (who later became Union Minister and eventually the President of India).
The Swatantra Party emerged as the main opposition, appealing to landlords, traders, and conservatives who opposed Congress’s socialist policies.

The Indian National Congress (INC) swept the elections with a landslide majority (219 seats).
P. V. Narasimha Rao (INC) became the Chief Minister (he later became the Prime Minister of India in 1991).
The opposition was fragmented, with CPI and CPI(M) winning only a few seats each, while Swatantra Party saw a sharp decline compared to 1967.

The elections were held in the shadow of the post-Emergency backlash (1977 Lok Sabha polls had swept Congress out nationally).
However, in Andhra Pradesh, Indira Gandhi still commanded loyalty, especially among rural and poor voters.
This election marked the split between Indira’s Congress [INC(I)] and the old Congress [INC(O)], with INC(I) clearly emerging as the main faction.
Within a year (1979), political instability and defections weakened the Congress government, leading to multiple changes of Chief Ministers (Chenna Reddy, T. Anjaiah, etc.).
This political fluidity opened the door for N. T. Rama Rao to launch Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982, which shook Andhra politics in 1983.

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), a Telugu cinema superstar, had founded the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982, just a year before elections.
The TDP achieved a historic landslide victory with 201 seats, becoming the first regional party in India to win a state with such dominance.
NTR became the Chief Minister, ending nearly three decades of Congress rule in Andhra Pradesh.
The Congress, which had ruled since 1955, was reduced to 60 seats, a humiliating defeat.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) under N. T. Rama Rao (NTR) retained power with 202 seats.
Congress collapsed further to 50 seats.
BJP managed to secure a small but noticeable 8 seats, while Left parties remained marginal.
NTR was sworn in again as Chief Minister, proving his popularity was not a one-time wave.

The Indian National Congress (INC) staged a major comeback, winning 181 seats and securing a clear majority.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), despite NTR’s charisma, was reduced to 74 seats, a sharp fall from its previous dominance.
Marri Chenna Reddy (INC) became the Chief Minister.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by N. T. Rama Rao (NTR) swept the elections with a historic 216 seats, one of the biggest victories in Andhra history.
The Congress Party collapsed to just 26 seats, its worst performance in the state till then.
NTR returned as Chief Minister with an overwhelming mandate.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by N. Chandrababu Naidu won a comfortable majority with 180 seats.
Its ally, the BJP, won 12 seats, strengthening the ruling coalition.
Together, the TDP-BJP alliance had 192 seats, ensuring a stable government.
The Congress (INC), led by Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), won 91 seats, remaining the principal opposition.

The Indian National Congress (INC), led by Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), won a landslide victory with 185 seats.
With support from TRS, CPI, and CPI(M), the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) easily crossed the majority mark.
The ruling TDP of Chandrababu Naidu was reduced to just 47 seats, one of its worst defeats.
YSR became Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for the first time.

The Indian National Congress (INC), led by Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), won 156 seats, just over the majority mark.
The TDP finished second with 92 seats, led by N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The new entrant, Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) floated by actor Chiranjeevi, made a modest debut with 18 seats, though it split the anti-Congress vote.
YSR returned as Chief Minister for a second consecutive term.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), led by N. Chandrababu Naidu, returned to power by winning 102 seats.
Its ally BJP won 4 seats, strengthening the TDP-led government.
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, put up a strong fight and secured 67 seats, becoming the main opposition.
The Congress, which had ruled AP for decades, was completely wiped out, winning zero seats, due to anger over the Telangana bifurcation.

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, registered a landslide victory with 151 seats, one of the biggest wins in AP’s history.
The ruling TDP, led by N. Chandrababu Naidu, was reduced to just 23 seats.
Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party (JSP) won 1 seat (Razole constituency) despite securing ~5.5% vote share; Pawan himself lost in both Gajuwaka and Bhimavaram constituencies.
Congress and BJP, once influential, were completely wiped out with zero seats.

TDP (Telugu Desam Party) emerged as the dominant force with 135 seats and ~45.6% vote share.
The Jana Sena Party (JSP) won 21 seats—an impressive feat for the newcomer party.
BJP added 8 seats to the tally, solidifying the alliance’s power base.
The Kutami alliance achieved total control over all districts except Alluri Sitharama Raju, illustrating complete statewide dominance.
The Congress, left-wing parties, and independents failed to win any seats, making this a highly bipolar election.
Voter turnout crossed 80%, signaling high voter engagement in the post-bifurcation era.

The INC under Neelam Sanjiva Reddy won a decisive majority with 177 seats, allowing it to form the government comfortably.
The Communist Party of India emerged as the principal opposition with 50 seats, drawing strong support from Telangana, where the Telangana Armed Struggle (1946–51) had left a legacy of communist influence.
The Praja Socialist Party (PSP) and several independents also secured representation, but they could not challenge Congress dominance.
This election was crucial in setting the political foundation of newly formed Andhra Pradesh.