Orissa Assembly Election Results in 1951

Elections to the first Legislative Assembly of Orissa in independent India were held in 1951. 522 candidates from various political parties were in fray, contesting for a total of 107 Assembly constituencies, out of which 91 seats were reserved for General-category candidates, and 16 were reserved for candidates from Scheduled Tribes. The Indian National Congress won with a thumping majority, winning 67 of the 107 Assembly constituencies, and hence formed the government in the state. The All India Ganatantra Parishad was second, winning 31 seats. Nanda Kishore Das was the Speaker of the Orissa Legislative Assembly in its first term post independence SUCcessive changes in the post of the Governor were made during this first Assembly in Orissa. M. Asaf Ali remained the Governor from July 1951 to June 1952, before he was replaced by Saiyid Fazl Ali, who held the prestigious post till 1954. He was then replaced by P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja, who was finally substituted by Bhim Sen Sachar, the former Chief Minister of Punjab. Nabakrushna Chowdhury of the Congress remained in power as the Chief Minister of Orissa during this period, before Harekrushna Mahatab took over as Chief Minister for a brief period in the last one year of this first term.

With his previous experience as the Revenue Minister, Nabakrushna Chowdhury brought in some spectacular reforms in the state of Orissa during his tenure as the Chief Minister. He abolished the Zamindari system, which in turn resulted in the peasants to be free of exploitation at the hands of the landlords. He enacted the Anchal Shasan Bill as part of his welfare schemes for the people of Orissa, which generated employment for the youth. It was Nabakrushna Chowdhury who propounded the need for Oriya as an official language in Orissa, so that administrative and functions could be easily comprehensible to everyone. It was his concerted efforts that led to the recognition of the importance of regional languages in other states. Also, along with Vinoba Bhave, Nabakrushna was instrumental is propagating the Bhoodan and Gramdan Movement in different parts of Orissa by making personal visits to every village and spreading the message of Gramdan. He played a pivotal role in developing the infrastructural necessities in the state, such as constructing the Hirakud Dam.

Some of the most important legislations implemented during this period were the Maternity Benefit Act 1953, the Working Journalists & Other Newspapers Employees (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1955, and the Orissa Shops & Commercial Establishments Act of 1956, among others.

List of Successful Candidates in Orissa Assembly Election in 1951

List of Participating Political Parties in Orissa Assembly Election in 1951