Swatantra Party

Abbreviation

SWA

Founded

1959

Founder(s)

C. Rajagopalachari

Main base

All India

Founded by C. Rajagopalachari in 1959 as a free-market alternative to the Congress. It was the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha after the 1967 election and merged into the Bharatiya Lok Dal in 1974.

Milestones

• 1959 Founded by Rajaji
• 1967 Largest opposition party with 44 seats
• 1974 Merges into the Bharatiya Lok Dal

Election record at a glance

• Contested 3 Lok Sabha general elections under this name, from 1962 to 1971.
• First won Lok Sabha seats in 1962 (18). Best result: 44 seats in 1967. Total seats won across all elections: 70.
• Highest vote share: 8.67% in 1967.
• In Tamil Nadu (Madras State before 1969) it has won 6 Lok Sabha seats in total; best: 6 in 1967.