z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-07.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 526
526 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Dr. Ambedkar: That is in the melting pot.
Opposition to Co-option in Legislature
† Dr. Ambedkar: I am afraid I shall have to oppose this amendment. First of all, such experience of co-option as we have had in Bombay is not very encouraging. It has developed into the worst sort of scandal ; the amount of corruption and bribery that take place are such that I for one should not like to introduce this principle in the constitution of the Legislature of Bombay.
A further objection is this. If the various communities that do not find themselves elected at the polls are to get representation of a real sort, representation which is independent of the influence of any other community, I think co-option is a principle which is certainly not going to help them, for it may very well happen that when representatives of the various communities stand for co-option only those will be in fact co-opted as may happen to be subservient to and willing to play into the hands of the majority. It seems to me this would be worse than no representation at all, and I am afraid on that ground I must oppose the amendment. But I submit, Sir, that this SubCommittee ought to make a recommendation that the future constitution of the Provincial Legislatures should be such that there should be no nominated members at all.
Diwan Bahadur Ramachandra Rao: That is far better, of course.
Dr. Ambedkar: That is my own view of the matter. I am certainly opposed to co-option.
Diwan Bahadur Ramachandra Rao: I agree that some statement that the Legislature should be wholly elected ought to be inserted in this report, and unless some such indication is given of the views of this Sub-Committee the nominated element will continue, though I believe it is the desire of most of our members that it should disappear. A statement to that effect ought to find a place in the report. I have no doubt whatsoever that everyone of us is quite alive to the evils of nomination, and we are anxious it should disappear as early as possible. Under these circumstances I am not prepared to support the amendment, and I would favour the proposal made by my friend, Dr. Ambedkar.
Chairman: What was the proposal ? I have no words here.
Dr. Ambedkar: We should say it is the view of the Sub-Committee that hereafter the Legislative Councils in the Provinces should be wholly elected.
Chairman: That is another amendment altogether, you will have to send it in writing if you want to move that.
‡ Chairman: I will take your decision on this point.
Raja Narendra Nath: I support Sir A. P. Patro. I think the power of
† Proceedings of Sub-Committee No. II (Provincial Constitution), p. 194.
‡ Ibid., p. 196.