Mahatma Gandhi And Jawaharlal Nehru: A Historic Partnership 1916-1948

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This is the first volume of a four-volume study of the historic partnership between Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, the two principal architects of Indian Independence, by Madhu Limaye, himself a participant in the freedom movement and an outstanding intellectual. Their unique relationship is a fascinating subject for study. No two personalities could have been so dissimilar in their background and psychological make up. It was the ideal of freedom that gave a point to Jawaharlal's existence. He was drawn to Gandhi not only because he embodied the ideal of Swaraj but because his programme and method gave an outlet to Jawaharlal's restless energy. In the first decade of their relationship Jawaharlal was a loyal follower of Gandhi, although he did not share his spiritual ideal. He was nonetheless profoundly influenced by his ends-and-means philosophy.

Gandhi found in Jawaharlal an uncompromising champion of freedom, a man of integrity and truth, unmatched industry and great drive. Gandhi's choice of successor was deliberate and not based only on emotion. Gandhi felt Jawaharlal was the best of the lot.

After his trip to Western Europe and Soviet Russia in 1926-27 Jawaharlal emerged as the leader of the "republican army" and articulate champion of a new economic programme. Gandhi-Jawaharlal differences threatened to reach a breaking point in early 1928, but Jawaharlal retreated hastily from the precipice telling Gandhi that after all he was his "child in politics though sometimes an errant and a truant one". Gandhi resisted for two years the dynasty-conscious Motilal's proposal to make Jawaharlal Congress President, but ultimately decided to "pitchfork" him into office in a bid to renew and broaden its appeal to the young people. Under Jawaharlal's impulse Gandhi himself switched to Complete Independence and launched the great Civil Disobedience campaign in 1930. Jawaharlal gradually pushed the Congress towards a policy of the abolition of zamindari system, end to princely autocracy, and state ownership of key industries as the foundation of economic development.

Madhu Limaye (b.1922-d. 1995), the most prominent and distinguished among the Socialist Movement's younger leaders, was drawn towards the freedom movement and the Socialist Party at an early age. He was held in great affection by Jayaprakesh, Lohia, Narendra Deva and other leaders.

The struggle against foreign rule landed him in prison many times. His first imprisonment came in 1940-41. He participated in the Quit India underground movement and was detained under DIR till the end of the war. In the Goa Liberation Movement Limaye was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by a Portuguese Military Tribunal. Again, he spent nineteen months in detention during the Emergency.

Limaye held various offices: Secretary, (All India) Socialist Party; Secretary, Asian Socialist Conference; Chairman, Socialist Party; Leader, SSP Parliamentary Group. He was also General Secretary, Janata Party and later, of Lok Dal. He is the author of several books in English, Marathi and Hindi.

When I wrote my evaluations of some well known Indian and non-Indian personalities, published in Prime Movers: The Role of In- dividual in History, I was asked by many friends as to why I had not included Jawaharlal Nehru in the list of those eminent leaders. My answer was that I had already prepared in draft form a three-volume work wholly devoted to the inter-relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

The freedom movement drew into its fold the finest elements from the various Provinces of India. Gandhi's magic touch made them into heroes. I often asked myself as to why did Gandhi pick up from among half a dozen eminent leaders Rajaji, Vallabhbhai, Rajendra Prasad, Abul Kalam Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose Jawaharlal Nehru as his heir despite the latter's known basic differences with him? This question troubled me be- cause it was difficult for me to conceive Jawaharlal rising to pre- eminence either without Gandhi's decisive intervention in India's politics or Gandhi's deliberately and persistently promoting his suc cession. This question has interested me and mystified me, in turns, these last fifty years. It was this restless curiosity that has led me to undertake this study in interaction. In composing this work I have tried, to the best of my ability, to take an objective view and keep out my personal likes and dislikes, prejudices and predilictions.

**Contents and Sample Pages**