OPPOSED TO PARITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26176, 12 June 1946, Page 5

OPPOSED TO PARITY

THE CONGRESS PARTY OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT LONDON, June 10. Dr Azad announced that the Congress Party will not accept equal representation with the Moslem League in the interim Government for India, says the New Delhi correspondent of the Daily Express. Dr Azad’s announcement followed a decision reached by the Congress Party Working Committee. Members of the Congress Party believe that the Viceroy, Viscount Wavell, proposes that the interim Government shall consist of five Congress, five Moslem League, and two Independent members at the top. The Congress Party maintains that parity with the Moslem League would not be consistent with the spirit and letter of the White Paper, which, it says, recognises population strengths as the basis of representation. The correspondent adds the atmosphere in Congress circles at present is most unpromising on the issue of parity. The British viewpoint is that a party with a majority 'would have absolute power. The British might compromise by making two independent appointments, dependent on Congress approval. The Standing Committee ot the Chamber of Princes approved the British Cabinet Mission’s plan for Indian independence, and has established its own ma'hinery for participation, says the Bombay correspondent of the Associated Press.

The Nawab of Bhopal, Chancellor of the Chamber, said a committee would be formed to decide the status of nearly 600 princely States. A second committee, representing the States and the Central Indian Government, would deal with matters of common concern pending the adoption of the Constitution.

A gathering of 100,000 Sikhs at Amritsar wat'hed 1000 selected representatives take the oath to oppose the British proposals for Iridia “ by every sacrifice.”