Wavell joined 3 man delegation to form British
party with 4 reps from Congress and ML
2 options offered
Option 1 - Preferred Option
India as single state with 3 tier structure, made up of:
A minimal union govt - responsible for
foreign affairs, defence and communication
Self-selected regional groupings of provinces,
exercising all other govermental powers
The existing provinces
This option also included the chance that regional
groupings would have a chance to secede
via plebiscite, to become independent states
Option 2 - Less well Preferred
2 state outcomes Hindustan/Pakistan
2 states would conclude formal
treaties with eachother
But have no common govt
Partition would happen on religious lines
Reaction
Congress
Couldn't agree to either option
Both could lead to partition
Too much of a compromise
Muslim League
Obviously favoured 2nd option
Jinnah's health was deteriorating
Wanted to be first leader for Pakistan
Wouldn't have time to wait for plebiscites in first option
After 2 full sessions, Pethick Lawrence wound up proceedings
Not getting anywhere
Too much of a compromise for both sides
Congress did not want Muslim independent state
Muslims only want an independent state
British Aims of Simla Conference
Option 2 is there to push Congress into supporting first option
Option 1 is there to tempt ML into accepting it -
offers seceding and Muslim state govts
May statement flow chart
British decide to go ahead with option 1 despite lack of support
Congress Reject this move
Jinnah accepts statement, publically
emphasising the sacrifice he made
Congress re-interpret May Statement
They change it to, when the Muslims move to the North West- after a while
they should be able to decide whether they want to be part of India or Pakistan