Read the passage and answer the question:

The roots of the extraordinary success of the Congress party go back to the legacy of the freedom struggle. Congress was seen as inheritor of the national movement. Many leaders who were in the forefront of that struggle were now contesting elections as Congress candidates. The Congress was already a very well-organised party and by the time the other parties could even think of a strategy, the Congress had already started its campaign. In fact, many parties were formed only around Independence or after that. Thus, the Congress had the ‘first off the blocks’ advantage.

Which of the following parties did not exist at the time of the first General election, after the independence of India?

The Communist Party Of India (Marxism)

The correct answer is Option 2 - The Communist Party Of India (Marxism)

The Communist Party Of India (Marxism) was formed in 1964 and did not exist during the first General Elections. Hence, out of the given options, The Communist Party Of India (Marxism) is the party that did not contest the first general elections.

Formation of The Communist Party Of India (Marxism):

In 1951, the CPI abandoned the path of violent revolution and participated in the general elections, winning 16 seats and became the opposition party.
The CPI had concentrated support in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Kerala.,A. K. Gopalan, S.A. Dange, P.C. Joshi, Ajay Ghosh, etc. were important communist leaders. The CPI had a major split in 1964 due to ideological differences between the Soviet Union & China.The pro-Soviet faction remained as the CPI, while the opponents formed the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)). Both parties continue to exist today.