The 1967 Punjab Legislative Assembly election was the Fourth Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) election of the state. This was the first hung assembly. Indian National Congress emerged as the largest party with 48 seats in the 104-seat legislature in the election. The Akali Dal - Sant Fateh Singh became the second, holding 24 seats. On 28 August 1968, Assembly dissolved prematurely and president rule was imposed.
History
Fourth General election of Punjab Legislative Assembly resulted in hung assembly. With 48 seats Congress was the largest party but short of 5 seats to form Government. By winning five legislators from among Independents, Congress could have easily formed a stable Government. With the defeat of its leader Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir, there was a search for new leadership among the elected Congress. Soon after the elections, two parallel moves were initiated from the Congress for the formation of ministry in Punjab. The supporters of one group led by Swaran Singh sent out feelers to the Akali Dal - Sant Fateh Singh Group for the Congress-Akali Coalition ministry; the other move was initiated by Darbara Singh to bring the Maharaja of Patiala Yadavindra Singh and his group into the Congress fold with the Chief Ministership as a bait. The Congress Parliamentary Board had already decided that neither an outsider was to be elected as Party leader nor was the congress to form the coalition ministry with the help of other Parties. So the moves proved futile.
United Front government
14 March 1967 "People's United Front" a combination of all opposition parties and six Independents was formed at a convention at Khanna. The Front claimed the majority in the state legislature. Gurnam Singh, a retired Judge of High Court, was elected as its leader. As a leader of the Front. Gurnam Singh called on the Governor and pressed his claim to form a government. The people United front formed its ministry on 8 March 1967.
Upheavals
On 5 April 1967 the United front government suffered defeat in the state vidhan sabha when the amendment to the motion of thanks to the Governor moved by the leader of the Congress opposition was adopted. The amendment sought to regret the omission in the Governor's address of the assurance to the use of Punjabi language up to the secretariat level. Amendment was carried out by 53 votes to 49 in a 104-member house, including the speaker. It was than expected that either the United Front would quit office or seek vote of confidence in the house. The opposition made and uproarious demand for the resignation of the United front ministry, failing which, the dismissal of the ministry. Gurnam Singh vigorously contended that the acceptance of the opposition amendment did not amount to rejection of any of the policies of the government. He held the view that the government was more genuinely interested in the adoption of Punjabi more than the Congress Party.
Congress party continuously tried to topple the Front's Government. However, a set back for Congress on 4 May 1967, 3 Congress legislators defected to Akali Dal - Sant Fateh Singh Group and 2 more joined Front on 9 May 1967.
No-confidence motion
On 25 May 1967 a No-confidence motion against the United front Minister was admitted. Lachhman Singh Gill charged the Congress and state vidhan sabha with using 'corrupt methods' to manoeuvre defections and alleged that that Congress had spent rupees one lakh in just 8 days to purchase members. On the next day the United front government won over the confidence of the house by securing 57 votes in favour and 46 against and the house was adjourned sine die. On the same day, Harcharan Singh Hudiara announced the formation of Akali Dal. This became the third Akali Dal in the state, the other two having been led by Sant Fateh Singh and master Tara Singh. The formation of the third Akali Dal and the eclipse of Sant Fateh Singh by the Rebel leader Harcharan Singh Hundiara, was reminiscent of the Sant's own ouster to Tara Singh.
Fall of Government
On 22 November 1967 before the Punjab Legislative Assembly met for its winter session Lachhman Singh Gill revolted and defected along with 16 legislators from the United Front and formed new party named Punjab Janta Party. On the same day, Sant Fateh Singh, the president of the Akali Dal rushed to Chandigarh in a bid to bring about a rapprochement between Gurnam Singh and Lachhman Singh but did not succeed in his efforts. Ultimately, on the same day Gurnam Singh tender the resignation of his ministry. Governor accepted the resignation but ask the Gurnam Singh to continue in office till and alternative arrangements was made. After 3 days, Lachhman Singh Gill formed new Government.