Previous Year Question
Who among the following supported the Swaraj Party in Central Legislative Assembly in pre-independent India?
M. Jinnah
M. K. Gandhi
Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Jawaharlal Nehru
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
The Swaraj Party was formed in 1923 under the leadership of Chittaranjan Das and Motilal Nehru. Its objective was to enter the legislatures, oppose colonial policies from within and press the demand for responsible government.
In the elections of 1923, the Swaraj Party won 42 of the 105 elected seats in the Central Legislative Assembly. Motilal Nehru became the principal leader of the Swarajists in the Assembly.
However, to effectively challenge the Government, the Swarajists required the cooperation of other elected Indian members. Motilal Nehru therefore attempted to build a broad united front with Liberals and Independents.
In this context, Mohammad Ali Jinnah supported the Swarajists in the Central Legislative Assembly. Jinnah was not himself a member of the Swaraj Party, but the independent members associated with him cooperated with the Swarajists on several important issues against the Government.
This cooperation enabled the combined group of Swarajists, Independents and other Indian members to challenge the Government on several resolutions and financial matters.