CONGRESS AND AISPC

The relations between the congress and AISPC were quiet normal as from the beginning congress followed a policy of relative isolation and relative interference. Way back in 1920 Nagpur session, the question of SPM's came to the notice of congress. However congress resolved to maintain neutrality and isolation, and further left that, the SPM's be carried out independently. In the first Round Table Conference meeting the AISPC demanded its right to represent the people. However its request was turned down by the British government. It was congress that supported AISPC and endorsed its proposal.

In 1939 Haripur session, the congress resolved to bring the different SPMs into the mainstream of freedom struggle. In 1939 Tripuri session congress welcomed the proposal and suggestion of Nehru to forge an alliance with the SPMs and to form an untied front against the British and later Nehru was elected honorary President of AISPC. He pronounced the interests of AISPC were not different from the congress.

However congress was particular about the union of princely states with the British India. In 1942, when Cripps proposed for a federation and conceded the right of self determination to princely states, the congress outrightly rejected the proposal as the question of autonomy of the princely states was against the national interest. In 1946, the cabinet mission plan, categorized the different provinces of India. much against to the displeasure of congress. The chamber of princes on the other hand welcomed the proposals of Cripps and Cabinet mission plan and made desperate attempts to retain their control over the native princely states.

It was to the credit of such leaders of AISPC like Shaik Abdulla of kashmir, T.T. Krishnamachari of Kerals, Krishna Menon of Travancore, that public opionion was mobilized in favour of the merger of the native princely states with Indian dominion. Even leaders like Tej Bahadur Sapru and M.R. Jayakar stood for an integrated approach between princely states and Indian dominion. Finally it was left to Sardar Patel to accomplish the task of merging the princely states with the Indian Union.

The state peoples movements in different parts of India did have there share in the freedom movement in so far as mobilizing the consciousness among the people. Though in the beginning they remained anti feudal, later they became anti-colonial once they came under the influence of the congress. they strengthened the cause of Nationalism and the idea of National making. Had there not been cooperation between AISPC and congress it would have definitely been difficult for the architects of modern India to see a India united.