Socialist Party (India, 1971)

Socialist Party
ChairpersonGeorge Fernandes
General SecretarySurendra Mohan
Governing bodyNational Committee
TreasurerK.G. Maheshwarappa
Joint SecretariesBrij Mohan Toofan, Vinod Prasad Singh
Parliamentary Board chairmanSamar Guha
FoundedAugust 9, 1971 (1971-08-09)
DissolvedJanuary 23, 1977 (1977-01-23)
Merger ofPraja Socialist Party, Samyukta Socialist Party, Indian Socialist Party
Merged intoJanata Party
Headquarters16-17 Vihal Bhai Patel House, Rafi Marg, New Delhi
IdeologySocialism
Election symbol

The Socialist Party was a political party in India. It was founded in 1971 through the merger of the Praja Socialist Party (PSP), the Samyukta Socialist Party (SSP) and the Indian Socialist Party. The unification process of PSP and SSP was itself marred by divisions, and in 1972 the party suffered major splits in Northern India. From January 1973 George Fernandes emerged as the leader of the party, and would emerge as a force within the opposition during the Emergency. In 1977 the party merged into the Janata Party.