Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements with reference to the Congress Socialist Party:
The Congress Socialist Party was formed in January 1934.
Jawaharlal Nehru formally joined this party due to his sympathy for socialism.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Only 1
Only 2
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Congress Socialist Party (CSP) was not formed in January 1934. Socialist ideas assumed an organised form in May 1934, and the first All-India Conference of the socialists was held at Patna on 17 May 1934.
The conference was presided over by Acharya Narendra Dev. Leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan, Achyut Patwardhan, Yusuf Meherally and Ashok Mehta were associated with the formation and development of the CSP.
The Congress Socialist Party emerged as a socialist group within the Indian National Congress. Its objective was to combine national independence with the establishment of a socio-economic order aimed at ending feudalism, landlordism and economic exploitation.
Statement 2 is also incorrect. Jawaharlal Nehru was deeply influenced by socialist ideas and sympathised with many objectives of the CSP, but he never formally became a member of the Congress Socialist Party.
The CSP leaders initially hoped that Nehru would join and lead their organisation, but Nehru avoided formally identifying himself with any particular faction within the Congress.