1937 Bombay Presidency legislative election explained

The elections to the two houses of legislatures of the Bombay Presidency were held in 1937, as part of the nationwide provincial elections in British India. The Indian National Congress was the single largest party by winning 86 of 175 seats in the Legislative Assembly and 13 of 60 seats in the Legislative Council.

The Congress Government that was formed after the elections under B. G. Kher lasted till October 1939, when it resigned protesting India's involvement in the Second World War. The next election was held in 1946.

Government of India Act of 1935

The Government of India Act of 1935 abolished dyarchy and ensured provincial autonomy. It created a bicameral legislature in the Bombay province. The Legislature consisted of the Governor and two Legislative bodies - a Legislative Assembly and a Legislative Council. The Assembly consisted of 175 members who were further classified into General seats and those reserved for special communities and interests. The Legislative Council consisted of 60 members. It was a permanent body not subject to dissolution by the GoverThe Act provided for a limited adult franchise based on property qualifications.[1]

Results

The Congress contested 110 out of the total 175 seats in the assembly out of which 97 were general constituencies. For the council, it contested 15 out of the 26 seats where elections took place.

In the assembly, 15 seats were reserved for the Scheduled Castes. Out of these, Congress Party secured one seat unopposed and contested 8 seats out of which it won 5.[2]

Legislative Assembly

Party wise break up of seats in the Bombay Legislative Assembly:[3]

Total Number of Seats : 175

PartySeats
Indian National Congress88
Independents32
Muslim League20
Independent Labour Party12
Europeans, Anglo-Indians and Indian Christians8
Non-Brahman8
Democratic Swarajya Party5
Peasants Party2
Total175
align=left colspan=4Source: Schwartzberg Atlas

[4]

Legislative Council

Party wise break up of seats in the Bombay Legislative Council:

Total Number of Seats : 30

PartySeats
Indian National Congress13
Independents9
Muslim League2
Democratic Swarajya Party2
Appointed by Governor4
Total30
align=left colspan=4Source: Schwartzberg Atlas

Government formation

Although the Indian National Congress won the elections, the party declined to form the government. The Governor Sir George Lloyd invited Sir Dhanjishah Cooper (independent member from Satara North constituency[5]), to form an interim ministry. The Cooper ministry did not last long and a Congress ministry under B. G. Kher was sworn.

Notes and References

  1. nor and one-third of its members retired every three years.Book: Low, David Anthony. Eclipse of empire. Cambridge University Press. 1993. 154. 0-521-45754-8.
  2. Web site: Rediff On The NeT: Arun Shourie questions B R Ambedkar's contribution to Indian Independence. www.rediff.com.
  3. Book: Natesan, G. A.. The Indian review, Volume 38. G.A. Natesan & Co. 1937. 151.
  4. Book: Reed, Stanley. The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who. 1937. Bennett, Coleman & Company.
  5. Book: Srinivasan, Ramona. The Concept of Diarchy. 1992. NIB Publishers. 315. 9788185538006.

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