Cabinet Mission Plan [1946]
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Quaid-i-Azam with the members of the Cabinet Mission, Mr. Alexandar (left), Lord Pethic Lawrence and Sir Stafford Cripps, Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan is on the extreme right |
All attempts so far of the British government at bringing about peace between the Congress and the Muslim League had failed. The results of the general elections held in 1945-46 had made the British government feel the urgency to finding out a solution to the political deadlock which was in result of non-cooperation between the two major parties - the Congress and the Muslim League. Therefore, the British government decided to send to India a special mission of cabinet ministers.
The mission consisted of Lord Pethic Lawrence, the Secretary of State for India, Sir Stafford Cripps, President of the Board of Trade, and A. V. Alexander, the first Lord of the Admiralty.
The purpose of the mission was:
1. Preparatory discussions with elected representatives of British India and the Indian states in order to secure agreement as to the method of framing the constitution.
2. The setting up of a constitution body.
3. The bringing into being of an Executive Council having the support of the main Indian parties.
