Prepared by: M.

Saleem Kakar

THE CABINET
MISSION
 THE CABINET MISSION PLAN

Elections of 1945-46:
The Results of 1945-46 Election had defined the constitutional and political future of India.

 Muslim League emerged as the single largest political party of Muslims.

 ML won all seats in the Centre and 446 out of 495 in the provinces.
 This election was a declaration that there only two political forces in India. Muslim
League representing Muslims and Congress Hindus
Cabinet Mission:
The Cabinet Mission came to India 1946 to settle constitutional issues between Congress and
Muslim League. Both Congress and ML had divergent interests.
Congress: Stress for a single Constituent Assembly [ where would be automatically in majority]
Muslim League: Demanded two Constituent Assemblies [one for Hindus and one for Muslims]
 THE CABINET MISSION PLAN
Issue of the Time:
Single sovereign state with Hindu majority and Muslim in minority or Two sovereign states with safeguards for minorities
rights and interests.

Cabinet Mission failed to reconcile Muslim League and Congress on constitutional issue. It could not bridge the gap between
two, and could not evolve an agreement between Congress and Muslim League. Eventually, Cabinet Mission announced its
own Zonal Scheme within the union of Union of India.
Zonal Scheme/ Division:
1) Zone A: Hindus majority areas [ Madras, Bombay, U.P., Bihar, C.P, and Orissa]
2) Zone-B: Muslim majority areas [Punjab, Sindh, KPK (then NWFP) and Balochistan]
3) Zone-C: Slightly Muslim majority areas [Bengal and Assam]

Cabinet Mission plan also proposed that:

 Central Government would have control on defense, foreign relations, currency and communications while rest of
departments and power rests with provinces.
 Veto power rests with communities if they saw their rights adversely affected
 Immediate establishment of Interim Government and holding fresh elections in the zones.
 The union constitution will be made by re-assembly of all provincial legislatures.
 Each zone will make its own provincial constitution
 THE CABINET MISSION PLAN

Reaction and response of Congress and Muslim League:

Both Congress and Muslim League accepted it at first but later on rejected it on the following
grounds.
 Congress at first was contended with constitution making part of this Scheme, so
accepted it.
 Muslim league accepted it on the ground that it subtly pointed to the establishment of
Pakistan.

But when Nehru replaced Abul Kalam Azad as President of Congress and proclaim that
Congress could change this plan any time in future as it thought best. This was outright
majority dictation.
So upon the Congress ill-intention, Muslim League withdrew its acceptance of the scheme.

Interim Government 1946:

The formation of an interim-government was also controversial. Jinnah demanded, equality between Congress
and ML but Viceroy rejected the proposal. Likewise, when Viceroy proceed to form an interim government
without Muslim League. Jinnah declared August 16, as ‘Direct Action Day’, which unfortunately led to
Communal violence in Bihar and Bengal.

This political deadlock created because of these events led to the announcement of 3rd June Plan by Clement
Attlee— British PM, in Feb 1947 to grant self-rule to Indians by June, 1948.