United Democratic People's Front Explained

The United Democratic People's Front was an electoral alliance in West Bengal, India, formed ahead of the 1957 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election. The front was composed of the Jana Sangh, the Hindu Mahasabha, the Revolutionary Communist Party of India (Tagore) and a section of independent Congress dissidents.^{[1] [2]}

In total UDPF fielded 100 candidates; Jana Sangh fielding 32, Hindu Mahasabha 37, RCPI (Tagore) 2 and 27 independents.^[3] No UDPF candidates were able to win any seat.^[4]

This was the only experiment of electoral cooperation between Jana Sangh and a left-wing party in West Bengal.^[5]

Notes and References

1. M.V.S. Koteswara Rao. Communist Parties and United Front - Experience in Kerala and West Bengal. Hyderabad: Prajasakti Book House, 2003. p. 216.
2. Book: Economic Weekly: A Journal of Current Economic and Political Affairs. 14. January 1962. 367.
3. Book: Communist Party of India (Marxist). West Bengal State Committee. Election results of West Bengal: statistics & analysis, 1952-1991. The Committee. 301. 9788176260282 .
4. M.V.S. Koteswara Rao. Communist Parties and United Front - Experience in Kerala and West Bengal. Hyderabad: Prajasakti Book House, 2003. p. 217.
5. M.V.S. Koteswara Rao. Communist Parties and United Front - Experience in Kerala and West Bengal. Hyderabad: Prajasakti Book House, 2003. p. 218.