PoliticsNational and Dravidian movements

Swarajists largest party in 1934 Madras council election

· Chennai

The Swaraj Party won the most seats in the last dyarchy-era Madras council election but refused office; the Raja of Bobbili stayed on.

The fifth Madras Legislative Council election under the dyarchy system was held in November 1934. The ruling Justice Party lost ground amid unpopularity during the Great Depression, and the Swaraj Party, the electoral arm of the Congress, emerged as the single largest party with 29 seats. Opposed to dyarchy, the Swarajists refused to form a government. The Raja of Bobbili continued as First Minister at the head of a minority government.

Related events

  1. 1920

    1. Nov 1920ChennaiPolitics

      Justice Party wins first Madras Legislative Council election

      The Justice Party won the first election held under the Montagu-Chelmsford dyarchy reforms in the Madras Presidency.

  2. 1923

    1. 1923ChennaiPolitics

      Justice Party wins second council election

      The Justice Party retained power in the 1923 Madras Legislative Council election despite internal dissent.

  3. 1926

    1. 4 Dec 1926 to 27 Oct 1930ChennaiPolitics

      P. Subbarayan forms independent ministry

      After the Swaraj Party won the 1926 election but declined office, P. Subbarayan formed a ministry of independents with nominated support.

  4. 1930

    1. 27 Oct 1930 to 4 Nov 1932ChennaiPolitics

      Justice Party returns to power under B. Munuswamy Naidu

      The Justice Party won the 1930 election, boycotted by the Congress, and B. Munuswamy Naidu became Premier.

  5. 1937

    1. Feb 1937ChennaiPolitics

      Congress wins 1937 Madras Presidency election

      The Indian National Congress won a large majority in the first Madras Legislative Assembly election under provincial autonomy, routing the Justice Party.

  6. 1946

    1. 1946ChennaiPolitics

      1946 Madras Presidency election

      The Congress won a majority in the 1946 Madras Legislative Assembly election, ending the period of Governor's rule.

Open in the timeline explorer