The Saga of Patel V/s Nehru
20/04/1946, Gandhi wrote to then Congress President Maulana Azad stating him to resign and suddenly Indian politics heated up because everyone knew the chosen one is gonna be the first Prime Minister of once know as Golden Bird INDIA. Gandhiji also cleared his intentions within the same letter that if asked his favorite is going to be his pre announced successor Jawaharlal Nehru.
Nine days later the high profile meeting of Congress working committee(CWC) was scheduled on 29th April, As per customs for election 12 Out of 15 Pradesh Congress committee(PCC) recommended the name of Sardar Patel to be next president. Despite Gandhi’s preference not even a single province voted for Nehru, the statement of PCC in favor of Sardar was very clear and sound to all members of CWC. That’s where the political saga took U-turn going against the rulebook Acharya JB Kriplani on the advice of Mahatma Gandhi Proposed the name of Nehru on a paper and forwarded the piece to few senior members of CWC to sign ,none of them was authorized to do same ,but because it was Gandhiji’s instruction few members signed the proposal which included Sardar Patel himself. Now only two Candidates where left for the becoming the Congress President and later on our first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The scenario was clear one could only be elected after laters withdrawal.
Let me take you a little back ,Gandhiji famously announced in 1941 itself that Jawahar is going to be his successor such was his belief in Nehru. Nehru the student of Harrow, graduate from Cambridge and Barrister from London was the only ‘Englishmen’ in the congress camp. He believed that when the right time come Nehru will be a better negotiator on international affairs and politics while signing the deal. Nehru was a very attractive personality , a brilliant orator and writer both in English and Hindi. An emotional leader with a wave of socialism and a spirit of very patriotic towards our nation ,There was No doubt that Nehru was very much popular among British and international media back then ,his thoughts and approach of socialism was a topic of discussion in the West. All the Viceroys including back then Cripps who played a crucial role in the Cabinet mission Plan was his friend and even American media was aware of Nehru as Gandhi’s successor. Nehru was secular with approach and knew it’s importance for his futuristic politics. He was very admiring and knew the direction ahead with his eagle eyes foreseeing the way ahead movements.
Then comes Sardar Patel who was just 6 years smaller than Gandhiji and 14 years older than Nehru. He was considered as a great Executive ,organizer and leader that makes him the party’s preferred choice with a huge majority. His personality was strict and satirical with experienced roots dug deeper into the party. He was a capitalists favorite , the providers of the fund for the party. Everyone believed that he would be a better negotiator against Jinnah because he knows how to reply in the same language.
Let’s come back to the dramatic CWC meeting , Kriplani again signed a paper on Gandhiji’s instruction and forwarded the letter to Sardar Patel there was written his candidature withdrawal ,Patel refused to sign it and forwarded it towards Gandhi. Now he turned towards Nehru, making him aware of the situation that none of a single PCC has nominated his name; he thought Nehru would speak up for his own withdrawal ,Nehru remained silent. Gandhiji was well aware that Nehru will never accept the Second position he again forwarded letter towards Patel and thus Patel once again withdrew from the position over Gandhi’s advice repeating the incidents of 1929, 1936 & 1939. Finally Nehru was elected the Congress President and announced unanimously.
Rajendra Prasad told Durgadas (mentioned in his book – “India from Curzon to Nehru” ) over this incident that Gandhiji for Glamorous Nehru once again gave a set back to his loyalists.
For a check let’s give a look over a few incidents ahead after this presidential election. During a Press Conference on 10/Jul/1946 Nehru said party is in favour of cabinet mission plan ,with few changes possible ,here he was referring over Assam and other provinces merger with a dispute over Jinnahs Muslim league. Later on it resulted in Jinnah’s Direct action day next month and a very violent religious riots nationwide. Over this incident Patel wrote to his Assistant D.P Mishra stating that Nehru’s approach for freedom is very patriotic and clear. But his hurrying makes him impatient and hence making bad decisions.
After the same severe violent riots ,Sardar patel got hurt and emotional over such tragic incidents and said during a session on 23/Nov/1946 he said, “Don’t try taking Pakistan Fraudly and if you want it by sword then will be replied from sword only”. This Speech resulted in Gandhi’s Nonviolent approach crushing and hence wrote his criticism over the same.
Now let us have a look on J.N Nehru’s Political career and his major decisions over the years. His era began with the greatest tragedy of partition of our nation,and resulting in thousand of innocent blood stains on our beloved motherland. He introduced a few PSU industries which are still working as Bhillai and other steel plants. He also introduced IITs to the nation ,but the lack of importance given to primary education is yet a debatable topic. Then comes the issue of Kashmir which is yet a major topic of national interest,mentioning it as disputed territory in UN and losing the other part to Aksai Chin is yet the most debatable and unresolved issue. Losing a large part of territory of our land , and a permanent seat in the UN is yet questioned.
These incidents tell us the chapters of our history ,today neither Patel nor Nehru is Alive and it’s fact too that The RSS whom once Patel Banned himself is supporting him. Now question arises is same was this election as per the destiny or was it a major political Blunder.
Thank You
~ Anurag Mishra