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Home My cartoons My paintings Water races Kuttanadu Kumarakom Devikulam Bekal Fort Kalamandalam Makaravilakku Kerala Politics Political History Guest book Contact us	POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF COCHIN Introduction The political movements in Cochin offer almost a contrast to those of Travancore in respect of their origin, character and course of events. There is no such phase in the modern history of Cochin as the one marked by the Memorials in the politics of Travancore. The fact that the princes of the large-sized Cochin royal family entered into matrimonial relations with Nair families ensured for the Nair community a privileged position in the civil services and there was no need for them to petition or protest in regard to denial of jobs as in Travancore. The communal overtones associated with the movements in Travancore were also by and large absent in Cochin. Whereas the Government of Travancore proceeded with liberal social reforms like Temple Entry, the Government of Cochin not only followed a policy of caution in this field but even opposed the move for Temple Entry. At the same time, in Travancore the Government adopted a policy of opposition to the popular demand for responsible government while in Cochin it implemented a liberal policy of conceding this demand by stages. Establishment of the Cochin Legislature While a Legislative Council had come into vogue in Travancore in 1888, it took almost four decades for such a body to be set up in Cochin. In 1914 the Maharaja of Cochin, Sree Rama Varma had abdicated the throne in the wake of differences of opinion with the Paramount power. But even this liberal minded ruler could not persuade himself to accept a suggestion of the Government of Madras to establish a popular representative body in the State during his reign. The Cochin Mahajana Sabha which came into existence in 1918 demanded the association of popular representatives with the government of the State. In October 1918, the Maharaja of Cochin announced on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday that he intended to associate the people "more directly and formally" with the conduct of government. Travancore-Cochin Integration In an amendment made to the Cochin Government Act on May 12, 1948 the Legislative council was renamed the Legislative Assembly and its strength was raised to fifty-eight out of which fifty-three were to be elected. Though the Praja Mandal was forced to go into the wilderness in the wake of the resignation of the Panampilly Govinda Menon Ministry in October 1947, it was returned with a clear majority in the general elections held to the New Cochin Legislative Assembly in September 1948. Incidentally, this was the first ever election to be held to a Legislature anywhere in India on the basis of adult franchise. T.K. Nair's party contested the elections under the label of the People's Congress, but the electorate trounced it giving to it only four seats. The first full fledged Praja Mandal Ministry assumed office in Cochin with E. Ikkanda Warrier as Prime Minister (September 20, 1948). This was also the first full-fledged Congress Ministry in Cochin, for in November 1948 the Praja Mandal formally merged with Indian National Congress.

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POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF COCHIN
Introduction
The political movements in Cochin offer almost a contrast to those of Travancore in respect of their origin, character and course of events. There is no such phase in the modern history of Cochin as the one marked by the Memorials in the politics of Travancore. The fact that the princes of the large-sized Cochin royal family entered into matrimonial relations with Nair families ensured for the Nair community a privileged position in the civil services and there was no need for them to petition or protest in regard to denial of jobs as in Travancore.
The communal overtones associated with the movements in Travancore were also by and large absent in Cochin. Whereas the Government of Travancore proceeded with liberal social reforms like Temple Entry, the Government of Cochin not only followed a policy of caution in this field but even opposed the move for Temple Entry. At the same time, in Travancore the Government adopted a policy of opposition to the popular demand for responsible government while in Cochin it implemented a liberal policy of conceding this demand by stages.
Establishment of the Cochin Legislature
While a Legislative Council had come into vogue in Travancore in 1888, it took almost four decades for such a body to be set up in Cochin. In 1914 the Maharaja of Cochin, Sree Rama Varma had abdicated the throne in the wake of differences of opinion with the Paramount power. But even this liberal minded ruler could not persuade himself to accept a suggestion of the Government of Madras to establish a popular representative body in the State during his reign.
The Cochin Mahajana Sabha which came into existence in 1918 demanded the association of popular representatives with the government of the State. In October 1918, the Maharaja of Cochin announced on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday that he intended to associate the people "more directly and formally" with the conduct of government.
Travancore-Cochin Integration
In an amendment made to the Cochin Government Act on May 12, 1948 the Legislative council was renamed the Legislative Assembly and its strength was raised to fifty-eight out of which fifty-three were to be elected. Though the Praja Mandal was forced to go into the wilderness in the wake of the resignation of the Panampilly Govinda Menon Ministry in October 1947, it was returned with a clear majority in the general elections held to the New Cochin Legislative Assembly in September 1948.
Incidentally, this was the first ever election to be held to a Legislature anywhere in India on the basis of adult franchise. T.K. Nair's party contested the elections under the label of the People's Congress, but the electorate trounced it giving to it only four seats. The first full fledged Praja Mandal Ministry assumed office in Cochin with E. Ikkanda Warrier as Prime Minister (September 20, 1948). This was also the first full-fledged Congress Ministry in Cochin, for in November 1948 the Praja Mandal formally merged with Indian National Congress.