IGNOU HISTORY NOTES : Modern India - ELECTIONS OF 1937 AND CONGRESS MINISTRIES

IGNOU HISTORY Study Notes for IAS, UPSC Exams

Modern India 1857-1964

ELECTIONS OF 1937 AND CONGRESS MINISTRIES

Structure
29.0 Objectives
29.1 Introduction
29.2 Effects of the Constitutional Reforms of 1919
29.2.1 Failure of Dyarchy
29.2.2 Reform Proposals between 1920-1927
29.3 Simon Commission
29.3.1 Appointment
29.3.2 Boycoii
29.4 All Parties Conference and Nehru Report
29.5 The First Round Table Conference
29.6 Gandhi and the Second Round Table Conference
29.7 Communal Award and Poona Pact
29.8 The Government of India Act of 1935
29.9 Let Us Sum Up
29.10 Key Words
29.11 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

30.0 OBJECTIVES

In the previous Unit 29 we have seen how constitutional reforms were introduced by the Act of 1935. There was a difference of opinion among the Congressmen in relation to these reforms. After reading this unit you will:

be aware of the various opinions prevailing among the Congressmen in relation to the question of constitutional reforms,
learn about the elections of 1937 and the various aspects related to them,
know about the functioning of the Congress ministries in various provinces during 1937-39,
be aware of the problems faced by the Congress ministries during this period, and
understand the reasons for the resignation of these ministries.

30.1 INTRODUCTION

This Unit deals with the political developments during the years 1936-39. This was the period when the Congress gave up the path of confrontation and went for constitutional . politics. However, unlike the e::rlier Swarajist phase, its prcsent aim was to give the constitutional methods a trial and the Congressmen worked for their success. But this is not to say that there were no differences among the Congressmen regarding the constitutional methods. In fact every decision taken up by the Congress was strongly debated upon before its adoption. Though there was an agreement on the basic issue of fighting British imperialism, Congressmen disagreed on the methods to be adopted. It was during tbis period that the Left Wing was making its presence felt within the Congress. The Right Wing and the Left Wing discussed and debated on various issues. After a hectic debate the Congress decided to contest the elections in 1937 and was successful in forming governments in seven provinces.

The Congress ministries functioned for a little more than two years. They had to sort out a number of problems during their short tenure in the office. Different social classes had their own expectations from the Congress and accordingly their aspirations went up with