Rajagopalachari Formula, Desai-Liaquat Pact and Wavell Plan

Introduction

During the struggle for Indian independence, several proposals and agreements were put forward by both Indian leaders and British officials in an attempt to find a resolution to the political deadlock. Among these were the Rajagopalachari Formula, the Desai-Liaquat Pact, and the Wavell Plan. These initiatives emerged during a critical period marked by heightened tensions between the Indian National Congress and the British government, each reflecting different approaches towards addressing the demands for self-governance and communal harmony in India. Rajagopalachari Formula (1944)

• C. Rajagopalachari (CR), prepared a formula for Congress-League cooperation.
• Tacit Acceptance of Pakistan: It was a tacit acceptance of the League’s demand for Pakistan, supported by Gandhi.
• Main Points
• • Muslim League to endorse Congress’s demand for independence.
  • Provisional Central Government: Cooperation in forming a provisional government at the center.
  • Plebiscite Proposal: After the end of the war, the entire population of Muslim majority areas in North-West and North-East India decided by a plebiscite, whether or not to form a separate sovereign state. 
  • Conditions for Partition: If partition is agreed upon, there should be a joint agreement to safeguard defence, commerce, and communications. 
    • The effectiveness of these terms is contingent upon England transferring full powers to India.
• Issue: Jinnah wanted the Congress to accept the two-nation theory. 
  • He wanted only the Muslims of North-West and North-East to vote in the plebiscite and not the entire population. He also opposed the idea of a common centre. 

Desai-Liaquat Pact

• Objective: Attempt to break the deadlock between Congress and the Muslim League.
• Leaders Involved: Bhulabhai Desai (Congress) and Liaqat Ali Khan (Muslim League).
• Interim Government Proposal: Equal representation from Congress and League in the central legislature for an interim government and 20% reserved seats for minorities.
• Outcome: No agreement was reached on these terms. Congress and Muslim League came to parity.

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Wavell Plan (1945) and Shimla Conference

• Post-War Context: The war in Europe concluded in May 1945, but the Japanese threat persisted. 
  • The Conservative government in Britain, led by Churchill, aimed to address India’s constitutional question.
  • Lord Wavell, the viceroy, was given permission to initiate negotiations with Indian leaders.

• Features: 
  • Indian Majority in Executive Council: All members, except the governor-general and commander-in-chief, to be Indians.
  • Equal Representation for Caste Hindus and Muslims.
  • Interim Government Framework: The reconstructed council to function as an interim government within the 1935 Act’s framework.
  • Governor General’s Veto: Governor-general to exercise veto based on ministerial advice.
  • Joint Party Representation: Representatives from different parties to submit a joint or separate list for council nominations.
  • Post-war negotiations possibilities on a new constitution have been kept open.
• Muslim League’s Stand
  • Nomination Preference: League insisted on all Muslim members being nominees of the Muslim League.
  • Veto Power: Sought a veto in the council, requiring a two-thirds majority for decisions opposed to Muslim interests.
• Congress’s Stand
• • Caste Hindu Party Concern: Congress objected, viewing the plan as an attempt to reduce it to a purely caste Hindu party. It rather insisted on the right to include members from all communities among its nominees.
• Wavell’s Announcement: Wavell announced a breakdown of talks thus giving the League a virtual veto.

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Conclusion

• The Rajagopalachari Formula, Desai-Liaquat Pact, and Wavell Plan were significant attempts to address the complex issues surrounding India’s struggle for independence and partition. 
• While each initiative including the Rajagopalachar formula aimed to solve the political deadlock, they ultimately reflected the challenges of reconciling conflicting interests and visions among different parties. 
• Despite their limitations, these efforts underscored the complexities inherent in the path towards Indian independence and partition.

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