The 1934 elections were here. With it came the end of Justice. They were not wiped out, like that, however. But the downward slide now became irreversible.
But first, "why no 1933 elections?" you may ask. Well, the Central government had expected a new Government of India act in 1934, and had delayed elections. But the act did not come in 34, so elections were held. (It was felt that it would be useless to have a government function for just a year before the reforms came, but that is just what happened).
1934 was also the first time women voted in the Central elections.
In October 1933, Sathyamurthi started a Tamilnad Congress Swarajya party, and decided to contest the elections, worrying the Nationalists in the party would not allow the Congress to contest. Interestingly, Gandhi gave his blessing to the party. In April 1934, an All India Swarajya party was formed under the Congress, but on April 14, the Congress in Patna passed a resolution to fight elections to the Legislative Assembly in the Centre. The Swarajya party was dissolved.
The Congress officially withdrew Civil Disobedience in 34, and first contested the national elections, in which they swept 11 of 16 seats in Madras Presidency. But they decided not to allow the Swarajists to form a ministry if they won the 34 elections in the Province. The Congress won the 34 Provincial elections, and were not allowed to form a ministry
Sathyamurthi was the Swaraj leader, which won 29 seats. However, due to the Congress ruling, he was relegated back for the second time. The Raja of Bobbili was allowed to continue with a minority government. Sathyamurthi however, became the representative of Madras city in the central Assembly, the elections for which had happened the previous month.
Bobbili would face a no-confidence motion when he did not appease a certain bloc in the party. To appease certain people, Bobbili created a fourth ministerial position and Usman, a Justice supporter and earlier the first Indian governor, was given the post.
Governor Erskine said, “I must say that I thought I knew something about playing funny politics but I must take my hat off to these Indians.”
Act of 1935:
The new act was here at last.
The Government of India Act 1935 brought in Autonomy in the Provinces and abolished diarchy. Both Central houses were of a five year term now. The new act brought the number of people who could vote up to 14%, and the minimum requirement was that one could show proof that they were a citizen of a British-ruled province. There were totally 7 fields under which one could be a voter. A Council of Ministers was established, of which there would be ten for the Chief Minister of a state. The Governor would remain nominal head of state, and hold veto power, and could introduce bills without the suggestion of the Council.
Madras now had 20 seats in the Council of State, of which 2 were reserved for women.
There were 37 seats in the lower house, of which 2 were reserved for women.
For the first time, Constituencies were introduced, with each electing only one member, except in certain cases. There were 215 constituencies in Madras
Qualifications to be a voter:
The basic qualifications to be a voter in a general constituency were: 21 years of age, been a British subject, been the ruler or a subject of a federal state, been the ruler or subject of any other state if so prescribed, and subject to any prescribed conditions. Has to be of sound mind. Those who have committed corrupt practices will not be allowed to vote.
Can only vote if name is on the electoral roll. Given two weeks to send in notice. Husbands must apply on behalf of their wives.
In an electoral roll, a persons name, father or husbands name, surname, residence and nature of qualification is specified.
The electoral rolls were prepared in local languages, except in cities and European and Anglo-Indian constituencies, where they were in English.
Specifically to Madras, There was a ballot box for each voter, and each nominees slip was colour coded. When there is a tie between candidates, the winner is chosen randomly by a lot drawn in the presence of the returning officer.
The Congress was now ready to officially fight Provincial elections, which it did in the 1937 elections across the country. Though it still had issues with the new act, abolition of diarchy was something they had been fighting for. And now that they were going in, there was no stopping them.
Lord Erskine
(to be continued)
But first, "why no 1933 elections?" you may ask. Well, the Central government had expected a new Government of India act in 1934, and had delayed elections. But the act did not come in 34, so elections were held. (It was felt that it would be useless to have a government function for just a year before the reforms came, but that is just what happened).
1934 was also the first time women voted in the Central elections.
In October 1933, Sathyamurthi started a Tamilnad Congress Swarajya party, and decided to contest the elections, worrying the Nationalists in the party would not allow the Congress to contest. Interestingly, Gandhi gave his blessing to the party. In April 1934, an All India Swarajya party was formed under the Congress, but on April 14, the Congress in Patna passed a resolution to fight elections to the Legislative Assembly in the Centre. The Swarajya party was dissolved.
The Congress officially withdrew Civil Disobedience in 34, and first contested the national elections, in which they swept 11 of 16 seats in Madras Presidency. But they decided not to allow the Swarajists to form a ministry if they won the 34 elections in the Province. The Congress won the 34 Provincial elections, and were not allowed to form a ministry
Sathyamurthi was the Swaraj leader, which won 29 seats. However, due to the Congress ruling, he was relegated back for the second time. The Raja of Bobbili was allowed to continue with a minority government. Sathyamurthi however, became the representative of Madras city in the central Assembly, the elections for which had happened the previous month.
Bobbili would face a no-confidence motion when he did not appease a certain bloc in the party. To appease certain people, Bobbili created a fourth ministerial position and Usman, a Justice supporter and earlier the first Indian governor, was given the post.
Governor Erskine said, “I must say that I thought I knew something about playing funny politics but I must take my hat off to these Indians.”
Act of 1935:
The new act was here at last.
The Government of India Act 1935 brought in Autonomy in the Provinces and abolished diarchy. Both Central houses were of a five year term now. The new act brought the number of people who could vote up to 14%, and the minimum requirement was that one could show proof that they were a citizen of a British-ruled province. There were totally 7 fields under which one could be a voter. A Council of Ministers was established, of which there would be ten for the Chief Minister of a state. The Governor would remain nominal head of state, and hold veto power, and could introduce bills without the suggestion of the Council.
Madras now had 20 seats in the Council of State, of which 2 were reserved for women.
There were 37 seats in the lower house, of which 2 were reserved for women.
For the first time, Constituencies were introduced, with each electing only one member, except in certain cases. There were 215 constituencies in Madras
Qualifications to be a voter:
The basic qualifications to be a voter in a general constituency were: 21 years of age, been a British subject, been the ruler or a subject of a federal state, been the ruler or subject of any other state if so prescribed, and subject to any prescribed conditions. Has to be of sound mind. Those who have committed corrupt practices will not be allowed to vote.
Can only vote if name is on the electoral roll. Given two weeks to send in notice. Husbands must apply on behalf of their wives.
In an electoral roll, a persons name, father or husbands name, surname, residence and nature of qualification is specified.
The electoral rolls were prepared in local languages, except in cities and European and Anglo-Indian constituencies, where they were in English.
Specifically to Madras, There was a ballot box for each voter, and each nominees slip was colour coded. When there is a tie between candidates, the winner is chosen randomly by a lot drawn in the presence of the returning officer.
The Congress was now ready to officially fight Provincial elections, which it did in the 1937 elections across the country. Though it still had issues with the new act, abolition of diarchy was something they had been fighting for. And now that they were going in, there was no stopping them.
Lord Erskine
(to be continued)
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