23.04.1942: Rajaji convened a meeting of the Congress
Members of the Madras Provincial Legislative Assembly.He had resolutions passed
by Madras Congress Legislative Party that (i) the AICC should concede the
League’s claim for separation of ‘certain areas’ to secure the support of the
League for ‘a national administration’ and that (ii) the Muslim League must be
included in the popular government in Madras to prepare South Indians to face any
Japanese attack.[1]
G. Narayanaswamy writes in his article ‘Rajaji: Man with a
Mission’ as follows:
"The Congress leaders were totally upset at these unexpected developments
and Rajaji was taken to task and was requested to resign from Congress and all
its committees. Accordingly, he severed connections with the Congress and took
the case for a national government and for Pakistan to the people. The split
between Congress and Rajaji seemed to be complete. Most of Rajaji’s colleagues
had deserted him. He lost the support of Congress leaders, colleagues, and the
public at large and became totally isolated.”[2]
02.05.1942: Rajaji’s proposal for accepting the demand for Pakistan is placed
before the All India Congress Committee meeting at Allahabad and gets defeated
120 to 15. Rajaji said that the resolutions of the Madras Congress Legislative
Party was just in accordance with the Congress Working Committee’s stand that
the Congress could not think in terms of “compelling people of a territorial
limit to remain in the Indian Union against their declared and established
will”.[3] Abul Kalam Azad, the AICC President, expresses serious displeasure
over the action of Rajaji and declares that Rajaji is responsible for the
consequences. Gandhi says that there is a wide gap between him and Rajaji
similar to the gap between butter and lime.
On his way back from Allahabad, Rajaji gives interview to newsmen saying that
Madras Province would get separated from India unless Congress turns his
way.[4]
Rajaji resigns from Congress and declares that he would oppose Congress the way
he opposes Japan.
31.05.1942: In Muslim League also, a resolution commending the approach of
Rajaji was defeated 32 to 24 in its U.P. Committee.
In July 1942, Patel sent a message to Rajaji via Gandhi stating, “It will be
most becoming for you to sever your connection with the Congress and then carry
on your campaign with all the zeal and ability you are capable of”. Rajaji
resigned saying that the Congress Members could not be ‘totally debarred from
persuading Congressmen to alter their opinions’. The Madras Congress
Legislative Party met again and cancelled the earlier resolution.
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[1] Page 235 - Rajaji: A life - Rajmohan Gandhi - The Hindu 25.04.1942.
[2] Page 49 – Profiles in Courage – Parth J Shah – Centre for Civil Society.
[3] Page 236- Rajaji: A life - Rajmohan Gandhi
[4] Page 9 – Kamaraj Oru Sahaapdham – A. Gopanna.