What was the purpose for which C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru formed the Swaraj Party within the Congress?
Explanation
On 31 December 1922, in a meeting held at the residence of the Maharaja of Tikari in Gaya, the formation of a new party within the Congress—‘Congress-Khilafat Swaraj Party’ was announced. In 1923, the ‘Congress-Khilafat Swaraj Party’ (Swaraj Party) was formed, and from 20–22 February 1923, the general meeting of this newly formed party was held in Allahabad (present-day Prayagraj). In this meeting, the party’s programme and constitution were approved and the party was given the new name ‘Swaraj Party’. C.R. Das became its President and Motilal Nehru became its General Secretary. This party was formed with the objective of contesting council elections while remaining within the Congress. It also participated in the elections to the State Councils as well as the Central Legislative Council and achieved good success. Their real aim was to enter these assemblies, present their views, and practise non-cooperation with the government from within. The Swaraj Party was established after the failure of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
