Previous Year Question
Who among the following had seconded the resolution on partition in the meeting of All India Congress Committee held in New Delhi in 1947?
Govind Ballabh Pant
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
J.B. Kripalani
Abul Kalam Azad
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
The All India Congress Committee met in New Delhi on 14–15 June 1947 to consider the Mountbatten Plan of 3 June 1947, which provided the framework leading to the partition of India.
At this meeting, the principal resolution concerning acceptance of the plan was moved by Govind Ballabh Pant and formally seconded by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
The wording of the question is important. The Hindi paper uses the expression “समर्थन किया था,” while its English version specifically asks who “seconded the resolution.” Thus, the question is not merely asking which leader generally supported the proposal, but who formally seconded it.
Maulana Azad was personally opposed to the division of India and regarded the earlier Cabinet Mission Plan as preferable to partition. Nevertheless, under the prevailing circumstances, he seconded the resolution because he believed that a settlement was necessary to secure an early end to British rule and transfer of power.
The meeting was presided over by the then Congress President J.B. Kripalani. There was substantial disagreement within the Congress over partition, and leaders including Purushottam Das Tandon strongly opposed the plan.
Therefore, Govind Ballabh Pant moved the resolution, while Maulana Abul Kalam Azad formally seconded it. Hence, the correct answer is (d) Abul Kalam Azad.