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The Government of India Act, 1935 & Provincial Elections (1937)

1. Constitutional Framework

• The Provincial Governments were constituted under the Government of India Act, 1935.
• Elections to the provincial legislatures were held in 1937 as mandated by this Act.
• (Note: The Government of India Act, 1919, was used for the Central Legislative Assembly elections of 1926 and 1945.)

2. Election Scope

• Elections were held in eleven provinces:
  • Madras
  • Central Province
  • Bihar
  • Orissa
  • United Province
  • Bombay Presidency
  • Assam
  • NWFP (North-West Frontier Province)
  • Bengal
  • Punjab
  • Sindh

3. Indian National Congress (INC) Performance

Overall Results

• The INC emerged as the dominant party.
• It formed governments in eight out of the eleven provinces.
• It secured a clear majority in five provinces.

Breakdown by Province

• Provinces where INC obtained a full majority:
  • Madras
  • Bihar
  • Central Provinces & Berar
  • Orissa
  • United Province
• Provinces where INC formed a ministry WITHOUT a full majority:
  • Bombay
  • Assam
  • NWFP
• Provinces where INC did NOT form a ministry:
  • Bengal
  • Punjab
  • Sindh

4. The Congress Ministries (1937-1939)

Tenure

• The Congress ministries remained in power for 28 months.
• They resigned en masse on 22nd October 1939 to protest India being dragged into the Second World War without consultation.

Key Policies and Actions

• The Congress Working Committee of 1937 adopted a policy to abolish land ownership (Zamindari).
• Tenancy Acts were amended in provinces like the United Province and Bihar to aid farmers.
• Efforts were made to improve irrigation and protect peasants from moneylenders.

Example: United Province Ministry

• Chief Minister: Govind Ballabh Pant
• Finance Minister: Rafi Ahmad Kidwai
• Law and Justice Minister: Kailash Nath Katju

5. Muslim League’s Reaction and the “Day of Deliverance”

Grievances and Reports

• The Muslim League alleged grievances against Muslims in Congress-ruled provinces.
• The following reports were published in chronological order:
  1. Pirpur Report (1938)
  2. Shareef Report (March 1939)
  3. Fazul Haq Report (on Muslim sufferings under Congress rule, December 1939)

Day of Deliverance

• Muhammad Ali Jinnah called for Indian Muslims to celebrate 22nd December 1939 as the “Day of Deliverance”.
• This was to mark the resignation of the Congress ministries, which the League saw as a relief from oppressive rule.

Know More About Provincial Election and Formation of Cabinet (1937):

• Provincial Election and Formation of Cabinet (1937)-Old Year Questions and Answers
• Provincial Election and Formation of Cabinet (1937) One Liner Questions & Answers