Pak301 ( Lecture 12 )

Major Political Developments in 1945-46

Political Situation in 1945

• The British sought Indian military cooperation during World War II and offered political and constitutional changes after the war.
• Lord Wavell arranged the Simla Conference in June-July 1945, which was attended by representatives of all political parties, including Jinnah and Abul Kalam Azad.
• The conference failed to resolve the issue of Muslim representation, increasing differences between the Muslim League (ML) and the Congress.

The Elections, 1945-46

• Lord Wavell announced elections in August 1945 and presented new political steps, including self-government, new elections, provincial governments, and a constitutional assembly.
• The ML launched a massive campaign for Pakistan, using Islamic slogans, while the Congress focused on independence for an undivided India.
• The ML won all 30 Muslim seats in the Central Legislature elections in December 1945, while the Congress won 57 seats.
• In the provincial elections, the ML won most of the Muslim seats, including 79 out of 86 in Punjab, 113 out of 119 in Bengal, and 28 out of 35 in Sindh.

The Cabinet Mission

• The British Labour government sent a mission to formulate a constitutional settlement, which included Sir Pethick Lawrence, Stafford Cripps, and A.V.Alexander.
• The ML demanded two legislative assemblies, while anti-ML parties favored a strong center.
• The Cabinet Mission presented its recommendations in May 1946, including a federal government, a legislature and executive comprising representatives of provinces and states, and the option for provinces to review their relationship with the Union after ten years.

Muslim League and Congress Reaction

• The ML accepted the plan, considering it a step towards Pakistan, but the Congress was critical of the groupings and right to review, and refused to be bound by the proposals.
• The ML was alarmed by the Congress' intentions, which led to the formation of an Interim Government without the Congress.

Direct Action Day and Interim Government

• The ML launched a coercive political strategy, culminating in Direct Action Day on August 16, 1946, which led to the formation of the Interim Government under Nehru on September 2, 1946.
• The ML initially stayed away from the Interim Government but joined on October 25, 1946, with representatives including Liaquat Ali Khan, Sardar Abdur-Rab Nishtar, and Raja Gazanfar Ali.

Constituent Assembly

• The Constituent Assembly was elected by the provincial assemblies in July 1946, with the ML winning all Muslim seats except 5, and the Congress winning all general seats except 9.
• The ML boycotted the first session on December 9, 1946, demanding two constituent assemblies, and showed its firmness on the demand for Pakistan.
• By the end of 1946, it became clear that a constitution for united India could not be forced.