In 1920 the Congress began a campaign of passive resistance, led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, against restrictions on the press and political activities.Īlthough the Congress claimed to represent all Indians, many Muslims, fearful of the vast Hindu majority, began to withdraw from the Congress. By 1907, however, the Congress had split into a moderate group led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, who sought dominion status for India, and a militant faction under Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who demanded self-rule. Its founding members proposed economic reforms and wanted a larger role in the making of British policy for India. Thus a prior bitter experience would have compelled Muslims to revisit their decision to vote for Congress.Indian National Congress, Indian political party, founded in 1885. Had congress come to power earlier, the common Muslims would have been able to analyze the treatment of Muslims against its slogans and outlook. Moreover, they hoped Congress would work for the betterment of all people irrespective of the religious affiliations and belonging. Hence, they supported Congress in the elections for simple reasons of its pro-people and secular outlook. Muslims of the Indian subcontinent did not have a prior bitter experience of Congress as a ruling party. Lack of prior bitter experience of the Congress rule Congress being an organized and widespread political party managed to run an effective campaign and secured votes in its favor both from Hindus and Muslims. Ineffective election campaignĭue to weak organization and poor planning, the league could not carry on an effective election campaign as compared to the Congress. Furthermore, with its secular slogans, it could easily influence people irrespective of their religion. It enjoyed the active support of tens and thousands of members across the subcontinent. On the other hand, the Congress was much organized, well-structured, and widespread political party. Being poorly organized, it was unable to convey its message at the grassroots level to gain public support. It lacked membership and official setup at lower levels – in major cities, towns, and villages. The league was not an organized party at the time of the elections. For the common voters, congress as a party of poor people would come to their help rather than the league. They alleged the ignorance of Muslims for the failure of the league in the elections.Īs a result of the image problem, common Muslims Congress and other political parties in the elections rather than the league.
For they did not allow Muslims to know about the purpose of the formation of the league. The majority of Muslims were poor who could not see a match with the leaders of the league in terms of socio-economic status.Īnother reason cited by pro-league circles was the poverty and illiteracy among Muslims as dominant phenomena. The common Muslims saw the league leaders as aristocrats – landlords, businessmen, religious leaders. One of the reasons for the poor performance of the league in the elections was its image as a political party of the upper-class Muslims. Reasons responsible for the failure of the All India Muslim League in the elections were as follows: 1. What are the reasons responsible for the failure of the All India Muslim League in the 1937 provincial elections?
In contrast, Indian National Congress won almost the majority of seats of both Hindus and Muslims and formed its government in the provinces. The league managed to win only 109 Muslim seats out of 482 seats. There were 482 seats allocated for Muslims at the provincial level. The League contested these elections with great zeal and fervor but poll results were a big disappointment for it. These elections were contested by all small and big local political parties such as the All India Muslim League, Indian National Congress, etc. As per this provision, the British held elections in provinces in February 1937 on the basis of separate electorates. Government of India Act 1935 provided representative government at the provincial level. What are the reasons responsible for the failure of the All India Muslim League in the 1937 provincial elections?.