Modern-indian-history / Quit India Movement, Demand for Pakistan, and the INA / Desai-Liaqat Pact
Desai-Liaqat Pact
- The Desai-Liaqat Plan, also known as the Desai-Liaquat Pact, was a proposal formulated by Vallabhbhai Patel and Liaquat Ali Khan to address the political deadlock between the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League during the Indian independence movement. The plan aimed to negotiate an agreement for a future coalition government that would represent both Hindus and Muslims in the independent Government of India.
Key Points of the Desai-Liaqat Plan:
- Formation of an interim government at the centre with an equal number of members nominated by the Congress and the Muslim League in the central legislature.
- 20% reserved seats in the interim government for minorities.
- Liaquat Ali Khan gave up the demand for a separate Muslim state (Pakistan) in exchange for the guarantee of equal representation of Muslims and Hindus in the Council of Ministers.
- The plan attempted to create an ideal Indian alliance that would accelerate India's path towards freedom and end the Quit India movement.
Background and Intentions:
- During the Quit India movement from 1942 to 1945, Mohandas Gandhi and the Congress Working Committee were arrested, leaving Vallabhbhai Patel as one of the few free Congress leaders.
- Patel initiated secretive talks with Liaquat Ali Khan, a prominent leader of the Muslim League, to negotiate a solution for a future government that would represent both Hindus and Muslims.
- The intention was to end the political deadlock between the Congress and the Muslim League and create a united choice for Hindus and Muslims in the independent Government of India.
Result and Impact:
- The Desai-Liaqat Plan proposed a compromise between Congress and the Muslim League, offering parity of representation for Muslims and Hindus in the interim government.
- However, the plan was not formally endorsed by either Congress or the Muslim League, and it did not lead to the formation of the intended coalition government.
- Despite the efforts to find common ground, the political differences and demands of both parties remained unresolved.
- Eventually, India achieved independence in 1947, and the partition of India resulted in the creation of India and Pakistan as separate nations.
- In conclusion, the Desai-Liaqat Plan was an attempt to create a united front and resolve the political impasse between Congress and the Muslim League during the Indian independence movement. However, the plan did not materialize into a formal agreement, and the partition of India became inevitable as the Congress and the Muslim League held firm to their respective demands.
