Lecture 12
Major Political Developments in 1945–46
1. Political Situation in 1945:
During World War II, the British government wanted Indian cooperation,
especially military help.
They promised political and constitutional changes after the war.
Lord Wavell, the Viceroy of India, proposed the expansion of the Viceroy’s
Executive Council to include Indian leaders.
2. Simla Conference (June–July 1945):
Held by Lord Wavell at Simla to bring together major political parties.
Representatives:
o Muslim League: Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
o Congress: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Main Issue: Who has the right to represent Muslims?
o Congress claimed to represent all Indians, including Muslims.
o Muslim League insisted that it was the sole representative of Muslims
and should nominate all Muslim members.
Result: No agreement was reached. Tensions between Congress and ML
increased.
3. Elections of 1945–46:
Announcement:
In August 1945, Lord Wavell visited England.
New steps were announced:
o Self-government with Indian cooperation
o Fresh elections to be held
o Provincial governments to be restored
o A Constituent Assembly would be formed to create a new constitution
o An Executive Council with representation from all major political parties
Central Legislative Elections (December 1945):
Muslim League's Goal: Show that it was the only voice of Muslims and that
Pakistan was its ultimate aim.
ML ran a massive campaign using Islamic slogans, focusing on Muslim identity
and the need for a separate homeland.
Congress Campaign: Focused on independence from the British and the concept
of a united India.
Results:
o Muslim League: Won all 30 Muslim seats
o Congress: Won 57 general seats
Provincial Elections (February 1946):
Muslim League's Performance:
o Punjab: 79 out of 86 Muslim seats
o Bengal: 113 out of 119 Muslim seats
o Sindh: 28 out of 35 Muslim seats
o NWFP: 17 out of 38 Muslim seats
Also performed well in Muslim minority provinces.
Governments formed:
o Sindh: Muslim League formed its own ministry
o Bengal: Coalition with ML
o NWFP: Government by Khudai Khidmatgar (Dr. Khan Sahib)
o Punjab: Coalition of Unionists, Akalis, and Congress under Khizr
Hayat Tiwana
4. Cabinet Mission (March 1946):
Sent by British Labour Government to propose a solution.
Members:
o Sir Pethick Lawrence
o Stafford Cripps
o A. V. Alexander
They consulted governors, the Executive Council, and Indian political leaders.
Different Views:
Congress (Maulana Azad): Wanted a strong central federal government.
Muslim League (Jinnah): Repeated the Two Nation Theory and demanded
separate Muslim homeland.
On April 19, 1946, at the Delhi Convention, all Muslim League members
pledged to defeat the idea of a united India.
During the Second Simla Conference (May 15, 1946):
o ML demanded two legislative assemblies (one for Hindus, one for
Muslims).
o Anti-League parties supported a strong central authority.
5. Cabinet Mission Plan (May 1946):
Main Recommendations:
1. Indian Union including British India and princely states.
2. Centre to control:
o Foreign affairs
o Defense
o Communication
o Taxation
3. All other subjects to be controlled by the provinces.
4. A legislature and executive would be formed with representation from provinces
and states.
5. No law on communal matters would be passed unless majorities of both
communities agreed.
6. Provinces divided into three groups:
o Group A: Hindu-majority provinces (e.g., UP, CP, Bombay, Bihar)
o Group B: Muslim-majority provinces (e.g., Punjab, NWFP, Sindh,
Balochistan)
o Group C: Bengal and Assam
7. Each group could decide what to manage jointly and what to keep independent.
8. After 10 years, a province could rethink its relationship with the Union.
9. Constituent Assembly (CA) to be elected by provincial assemblies:
o Seats divided into General, Muslim, Sikh based on population
o Separate electorates
10. An Interim Government to be formed
6. Reactions to the Plan:
Muslim League Reaction:
Accepted the plan, because:
o It gave a base for Pakistan through compulsory grouping
o It allowed for review after 10 years, which could lead to separation
Congress Reaction:
Opposed the idea of groupings and review of relationships.
Agreed to participate in Constituent Assembly elections, but said they were not
bound by Cabinet Mission’s recommendations.
This alarmed the Muslim League, as it showed Congress was not serious about
the agreement.
7. Interim Government Crisis:
Issue: Who would choose Muslim representatives?
Congress refused to join until it got clarity.
British postponed the Interim Government.
Muslim League, disappointed by this, decided to reconsider its acceptance of
the Cabinet Mission Plan.
8. Direct Action Day – August 16, 1946:
Muslim League launched a political protest to show strength and push for
Pakistan.
Congress was forced to come back to talks.
Interim Government was formed under Jawaharlal Nehru on September 2,
1946, but ML did not join initially.
Muslim League joined on October 25, 1946 with the following members:
o Liaquat Ali Khan
o Sardar Abdur-Rab Nishtar
o Raja Ghazanfar Ali
o I. I. Chundrigar
o J. N. Mandal
9. Constituent Assembly (CA):
Elected in July 1946 by the provincial assemblies.
Muslim League: Won all Muslim seats except 5
Congress: Won all general seats except 9
First session: Held on December 9, 1946
Muslim League boycotted it because:
o Congress wanted to make constitution for a united India
o ML demanded two Constituent Assemblies – one for Hindus, one for
Muslims
By the end of 1946, it was clear that a united India constitution could not be
enforced.
Conclusion:
The period of 1945–46 was full of intense political developments.
The Muslim League gained popularity and established itself as the only
representative of Indian Muslims.
Cabinet Mission Plan showed a possibility of separation after 10 years, but
Congress’ unclear attitude increased distrust.
By late 1946, it became clear that partition was becoming inevitable, and the
demand for Pakistan had become unshakable.