1971 Indian general election in Odisha

The 1971 Indian general election in Odisha was a crucial political event, held concurrently with the national elections to the Lok Sabha and the Odisha Legislative Assembly on March 21, 1971. This election marked the fourth general election since India's independence, with a total of 42 Lok Sabha seats and 147 Assembly constituencies contested in the state. The Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, emerged as the dominant force, securing a significant majority in both the Lok Sabha and Assembly. The election was characterized by a campaign focused on developmental issues and social welfare, amidst the backdrop of the political tensions stemming from the East Pakistan conflict and the subsequent Bangladesh Liberation War. The election results reinforced Congress's prominence in Odisha's politics, shaping the state's political landscape for the subsequent decade.