Of Governors and CMs

Sir, - This refers to `Of Governors and Chief Ministers' (May 31). Dr. P. C. Alexander is of the view that in the 1952 general elections in the then composite Madras State, ``the CPI appeared to be in a better position to form the Government, the Congress having been reduced to a minority''. The factual position appears to be somewhat different. It is true that the Congress won 152 seats out of 375 and was, reduced to a minority. But, the CPI, along with independents supported by it, could win only 70 seats.

The non-Congress parties and some independents formed a United Democratic Front, elected T. Prakasam, leader of the Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party, as its chairman and also formulated a common minimum programme.

When Mr. Prakasam was all set to stake his claim, the Governor took the controversial step. Referring to Governor Sri Prakasa's choice of Rajaji, Dr. Alexander says that the Governor was convinced that if Rajaji was invited to form the Government, he would be able to muster support to form a Government. If that was the Governor's objective in choosing Rajaji, there were others like Kamaraj who were better placed to mobilise such additional support. But, what the Governor wanted was a leader of the Congress who could match the Andhra Kesari and also would be able to face the turbulent times ahead, what with the assembly filled with nearly 200 anti-Congress members and the agitation for the separation of Andhra already in full swing.

Dr. Alexander has referred to Jawaharlal Nehru's `reservations about the Governor's action' and, in this context, has quoted from Nehru's letter to Rajaji (before he was inducted as the Chief Minister) - ``One thing we must avoid is giving the impression that we stick to office and that we want to keep others out at all costs''. It is difficult to understand why Nehru addressed such a letter to Rajaji, who was most reluctant to come out of his retirement and had not offered himself as a candidate. If Nehru was really serious that what happened in Madras should not have happened, all that was necessary was just one word from him to the Governor, Sri Prakasa.

The fact is the Congress high command wanted that, somehow, the Congress in Madras should convert its defeat into victory. Sri Prakasa had to incur the odium and Rajaji had to bear the cross.

V. Krishnamachari,

Mumbai

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