53
GANDHI PREPARED TO ACCEPT FEDERATION IN WHATEVER FORM
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, leader of the Independent Labour Party while presiding over the Bijapur District Harijan Conference at Bijapur on 12th February 1939 said,
“I connot understand Mr. Gandhi’s opposition to Mr. Bose on the issue of Federation. It can be construed in two ways : either Mr. Gandhi must have made up his mind to accept Federation unconditionally, or he must be diffident about his weapon of Ahimsa and Satyagraha. He seems to have prepared to accept Federation in whatever form.”
He strongly criticised Federation which, he believed, would never improve matters, but on the other hand, would lead to chaos and worsen the situation in India. He said that he could prove to the hilt that there was no honesty left in the Congress, which was entirely in the hands of a clique. He was sure he would have secured a unique position in the Congress by flattering Mr. Gandhi, if he wished. He knew perfectly well that the present policy of the Congress would never lead them to Purna Swaraj, he had therefore no mind to join the Congress. He had started a separate party a few days before the last Assembly election and called it the Independent Labour Party. It had been gaining strength ever since. His main object in coming to Bijapur was to start a branch of his party there.” [1]
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1 : The Times of India, dated 15th February 1939.