Praja Socialist Party

The Praja Socialist Party (PSP) was one of the former Indian Organisations during Freedom Struggle that existed from the year 1952 to 1972. It was established with the merger of 2 renowned political parties, namely the Socialist Party, which was led by Jayaprakash Narayan, Basawon Singh and Acharya Narendra Deva; and the Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party, which was led by J.B. Kripalani. A segment broke away from the party in the year 1955 and was led by Rammanohar Lohia. It resumed the name Socialist Party. Another segment of the party also broke away and eventually formed the Samyukta Socialist Party in the year 1969, which was led by George Fernandes, the trade union leader. In the year 1960, J.B. Kripalani left the Praja Socialist Party (PSP) and in the year 1964, Asoka Mehta became a member of the Indian National Congress Party after he was evicted from the party. Later in the year 1972, the Praja Socialist Party (PSP) consequently merged with the Samyukta Socialist Party under the leadership of George Fernandes. This again led to the formation of the Socialist Party and eventually became a part of the Janata coalition after the Emergency in the year 1977.

Formation of Praja Socialist Party
The Praja Socialist Party (PSP) was formed in September 1952 with the amalgamation of 2 prominent Indian political parties, the Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party and the Socialist Party. Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani, also known as Acharya Kripalani, was appointed as the chairman of the Praja Socialist Party (PSP). He also served as the president of the Indian National Congress during the partition of India and the Indian independence 1947. Asoka Mehta, who was a well known Indian freedom fighter, was appointed as the general secretary of the party. The Praja Socialist Party was headquartered in New Delhi and was affiliated to the Asian Socialist Conference.

Performance of Praja Socialist Party
The Praja Socialist Party (PSP) contested at the general election in the year 1957 for the first time. The party achieved 10.41% of the total votes and 19 seats in the Lok Sabha. But eventually the vote share of the Praja Socialist Party (PSP) continued to reduce over the following few general elections. In the year 1962, the Praja Socialist Party (PSP) won 6.81% of the total votes and 12 seats in the Lok Sabha. In the following elections the party won 3.06% of the total votes and 13 seats in the Lok Sabha in the year 1967 and only 1.04% of the total votes, with only 2 seats in the Lok Sabha in 1971. The Praja Socialist Party (PSP) was dissolved in the year 1972.