THOSE WERE THE DAYS: The 1937 electoral experiment and Congress’s tryst with power in Madras

IN 10 years, India would be free.

But no one knew that at that point in time. In 1937, in a rare gesture, the British government would allow its arch-enemy — the Congress — to form governments in the presidencies. This short-lived experiment provided either side with valuable insights into the working methods of each other.

The Justice Party was in power in Madras, but that was no advantage. On the contrary, it had become highly disliked, led by a zamindar, the Raja of Bobbili. An economic depression was affecting Madras. While they could not manage it, the Raja’s ministers were leading ostentatious lifestyles. They voted to pay themselves more than Rs 4,000 salary.

The Justice Party was divided with factionalism and the Raja was not accessible to most of his ministers even, let alone the common man. The joke that made the rounds was that the party had more leaders than followers.