Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1950. INDIAN CONGRESS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 257, 17 August 1950, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1950. INDIAN CONGRESS

The Indian National Congress is due to meet next month, when it will face some of the most vital questions in its career, which has now extended over 56 years. This is due mainly to the fact that the party which led the country to freedom in 1947, and which has ruled with an absolute majority in 18 States, is to-day in an uneasy position, with the first general election only a few months away. There has been a good deal of dissension within the party, and the propaganda campaign conducted by opposition groups has had considerable effect. This situation has made Congress feel somewhat uneasy about the verdict of the people at the forthcoming polls. The Socialists, who once formed the left wing of the Congress, are to-day its most bitter opponents. Disillusioned by the “conservatism in the mother organisation,” Socialists broke off *’n 1946 to launch a never-ending crusade against the Congress. Socialists have declared that the Congress would not run the elections “honestly.” A Socialistsponsored conference of opposition groups, which met in Bombay this month, had submitted a six-point memorandum to the Indian President, Dr. Rapendra Prasad, insisting on “free and fair election, next year.” Mr Jayaprakash Narayan, Socialist leader, told newspapermen that nonCcngress parties feared possible Congress “manoeuvres” during election time. Liberal t roups which share Mr Narayan’s opinions,- continued the security and “preventive detention” laws are “aimed at crushing all opposition to Congress. The security laws were promulgated in 1948 after a large scale Communist uprising against Governments. The Communists condemned the Congress for its “siding with big business against the interests of the common man.” The security laws and “moral reforms” like Prohibition have no doubt cost the Congress dearly in popularity. Besides, the party is facing a serious threat of disruption, with dissident groups m its ranks becoming vociferous and bothersome in recent months. At least in two States —-'the Punjab and the United Provinces—the “rebels” have formed parallel organisations. In several others, they challenged the authority of the party chiefs, and charged the ministries with corruption and neoptism. Against this background of distrust and discontent the Congress will meet on the shores of Godavari, while pomp and paraphernalia will mark its inaugural and public sessions, i there is expected to be an undercurrent of anxiety throughout the six-day session. Over 3500 delegates will flock the panoramic “Panchavadi” whereUie one-time “National Parliament” will take stock of its “gains and lossess.”