LEFTIST COALITION DEFEATS CONGRESS PARTY IN TRAVANCORE-COCHIN, SOUTH INDIAN STATE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000200180001-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 10, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved.-.For Release 2000/08/
NSC BRIEFING 10 MARCH 1954
LEFTIST COALITION DEFEATS CONGRESS PARTY IN
TRAVANCORE-COCHIN, SOUTH INDIAN STATE
I. Current Situation
A. Socialist-Communist coalition bare
majority elections Travancore-Cochin
state.
B. Congress still largest single party.
II. Communists may enter Indian state
government.
A. First opportunity Communist participate
state government.
B. Socialist leader wants form government
with Communist support, regardless
price Communists ask. No indication
Communist demands.
C. Prospect depends attitudes Socialist
leaders on national level, some oppose
collaboration Communists, but fear
split party.
Approved For Release 2000/08/04: CIA-RDP80R01443R000200180001-1
 Approved For Release 2000/08 1443R000200180001-1
D. Socialist-Communist government could
govern as caretaker six months.
E. Period sufficient effective Communist
infiltration.
III. Outlook for continuing instability under
any conditions.
A. Congress might invoke rule by central
government -- device adopted other
cases thwart Communists.
B. Congress attitude play for time --
split leftists.
IV. Over-all significance -- popular
disillusionment Congress Party, which
still appears offer only chance longer
range stability.
Approved For Release 2000/08/04: CIA-RDP80RO1443R000200180001-1
CONFIDENTIAL
 Approved For Release 2000/08/04'$' ITOR01443RR0p0 0 1
I4SC BRIEFING 10 MARCH 1 54
LEFTIST COALITION DEFEATS CONGRESS PARTY IN
TRAVANCORE-COCHIN, SOUTH INDIAN STATE
BACKGROUND
1. T-C highest literacy rate India; electorate
most enlightened.
2. Most densely populated -- shares general
lack development. Nixon 1953 trip noted
many educated Travancore driving taxis,
other menial jobs.
3. T-C has been a major area Communist strength.
4. Communalism also strong; Communist have
catered to it.
5. Breakdown of seats in T-C assembly by party:
Congress Party ..................46
Travancore--Tamil Nad Congress....... t.12
Leftist Coalition:
Communist Party of India .......... a.S23
4 at' Praja Socialist Party ............ JL.19
Revolutionary Socialist Party...... 9
Kerala Socialist Party ............ 1. 3
Independents (Leftist-supported)..1.Q 6
118
Approved For Release 2000/08/04: CIA-RDP80R01443R000200180001-1
SECRET