CREATE TABLE table_204_54 (id NUMBER, "pondicherry assembly" CLOB, "duration" CLOB, "name of m.l.a." CLOB, "party affiliation" CLOB, "election year" NUMBER)

what is the total number of members ?
SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT "name of m.l.a.") FROM table_204_54
SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT "name of m.l.a.") FROM "table_204_54"