India got independence in 1947. After this the country became a republic in 1950. Then it was decided to hold general elections for the first time in the country in 1952. Times were different and methods of election campaign were also different. At that time political parties neither had much money nor any special resources. Therefore, all the political parties were doing very limited campaigning about Congress. But there was one party which campaigned not from India but from abroad and that too from a foreign radio station.
For the first time, election campaign was conducted in this manner.
The methods of election campaign in India's first general election were very different and unique. Election campaign slogans were written on walls at various places by political parties. Besides, at some places, slogans were also written on the backs of animals for publicity. There was so much noise from the loudspeakers of the election parties that people had to face a lot of trouble due to it. At that time there was no concept of TV or Internet. Therefore, this medium remained missing from the world for a long time in Indian elections.
Soviet leaders had a keen interest in the communist movement in India
Before India's independence, the Soviet Union also had its eyes fixed on India. After the establishment of communist rule in the Soviet Union, the government there wanted to spread the communist movement throughout the world. Therefore, the senior leaders of the Soviet Union took special interest in India. It also includes leaders like Lenin and Stalin.
Stalin instructed Moscow Radio
The Communist Party of India (CPI) was formed in India in 1925. This party started working as a base among the laborers and workers. When the Communist Party of India contested the first general elections, Stalin, the then head of the Soviet Union, was taking great interest in these elections. He instructed Moscow Radio to help the Communist Party of India by launching the election campaign of CPI through it.
Moscow Radio campaigned for CPI for four months
Moscow Radio began broadcasting election campaign programs for the Communist Party of India continuously from its center from October 1951 to February 1952. Then this general election lasted for four months. and were continuously promoted by Moscow radio. At that time radio was the only medium of listening for the people. The BBC in its report also highlighted how the Communist Party of India was promoted by Moscow Radio in the first general election.