Rajagopalachari Formula

Introduction

• In 1944, a constitutional crisis was ongoing in India.

• Efforts were being made to solve the crisis through constitutional proposals.

• C. Rajagopalachari (CR), a veteran Congress leader, prepared a formula for Congress-League cooperation

The Formula

• The Rajagopalachari Plan was a tacit acceptance of the League's demand for Pakistan.

• Gandhi supported the formula.

• The main points of the CR Plan were:
  • The Muslim League to endorse Congress' demand for independence
  • The League to cooperate with Congress in forming a provisional government at the centre
  • After the end of the war, the entire population of Muslim majority areas in the North-West and North-East India to decide by a plebiscite, whether or not to form a separate sovereign state
  • In case of acceptance of partition, agreement to be made jointly for safeguarding defence, commerce, communications, etc.
  • The above terms to be operative only if England transferred full powers to India.

Objections

• Jinnah wanted the Congress to accept the two-nation theory.

• Jinnah wanted only the Muslims of North-West and North-East to vote in the plebiscite and not the entire population.

• Jinnah also opposed the idea of a common centre.