KERALA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A001200020007-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 1998
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: February 3, 1960
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 19/09/08 : 0012000~Q007-5
1ST'SC BRIEFING 3 February 1960
KERALA
I. Coalition of anti-Communist parties in Kerala State scored
decisive victory over Communists in elections on 1 February.
,....~~:- Itf'f~ ~~ f~P j? f~-( i"s' i'~r ~~i' (~' ,. --.;~* ~f e'er""
A. t'United front of Congress, Socialist, and Moslem parties wore
''~ assembly seats, in 127-member state assembly; Communists
tank Qn~y ~- '
B. Serious setback to Communist party in South India.
C. Congress party, though very close to majority on its own,
probabl~;~ will form coalition government with Praja Socialist
party.
II. New government will have no easy time.
A. Congress and Socialist leaders--once bitter rivals--probab~v
will be unable to maintain same degree of cooperation in power
as they have in opposition.
B. Kerala's economic problems (unemployment, food shortage, lack
of resources) also make it unlikely new government can imp~?nve
on record of past regimes unless New Delhi pours in extra
funds for development.
III. Communist party will retain considerable potential in Kerala.
A. Percentage of popular vote for Communists (close to the 35~, won
in 1957 election) indicates they still have strong hold on
lower classes.
B. Communists will use this point in attempt to lessen damage
to their prestige elsewhere in India, particularly in states
(C~est Bengal, Andhra) where they hope to win ~wer through
Approved For Release 1999/09/08: CIA-RDP79R00890AO~~l2gOg2.0007=5