Part XXI - Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions • Article

Article 378A Simplified: Special provision as to duration of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly

Article 378A was a temporary provision added in 1956. When the State of Andhra was created by merging parts of Madras and Hyderabad, it set a fixed five-year duration for its first Legislative Assembly, specifying when its term would expire and dissolve, ensuring regular democratic elections.

Official Text

Notwithstanding anything contained in article 172, the Legislative Assembly of the State of Andhra Pradesh as constituted under the provisions of sections 28 and 29 of the Andhra State Act, 1953, shall, unless sooner dissolved, continue for a period of five years from the date referred to in the said section 29 and no longer and the expiration of the said period shall operate as a dissolution of that Legislative Assembly.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

When a new state of Andhra Pradesh was formed in 1956 by joining different districts, this rule set a clear 5-year limit for its first assembly so that everyone knew when the next voting day would be.

Student Mode

Inserted by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act of 1956. Following the reorganization of the state of Andhra Pradesh, Article 378A provided that the Legislative Assembly of the state, as constituted under the Andhra State Act of 1953, would continue for a fixed period of five years from the date of its constitution and no longer, operating as an automatic dissolution at the end of the term to align election cycles.

Example

Following the reorganization of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, rather than forcing immediate state elections, Article 378A allowed the existing assembly to serve out a coordinated five-year term ending in 1962, aligning it with other states' election cycles.

Key Takeaway

Set a fixed five-year term for the newly reorganized Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly in the 1950s to align election cycles.

FAQs

What was the purpose of Article 378A?

When borders were redrawn in 1956, it was necessary to clarify the term limit of the existing legislative assembly. Article 378A established a clear timeline for elections, avoiding political uncertainty.

Is Article 378A still active today?

No. It was a transitional provision that spent its force after the dissolution of that specific assembly in 1962.