Correct Option
Sardar Patel was a strong advocate for the Cabinet Mission Plan, presented in May 1946. He perceived it as a pragmatic and realistic framework to achieve India's independence while simultaneously preventing the partition of the country. Patel believed that accepting the plan, despite its compromises, offered the most viable path to a unified India and a peaceful transfer of power. His support was rooted in the objective of securing national unity.
Incorrect Options
Mahatma Gandhi: Mahatma Gandhi expressed significant reservations regarding the Cabinet Mission Plan. While deeply committed to communal harmony, he was not fully convinced by the constitutional scheme proposed, prioritizing the broader principles of non-violence and unity over the specific structural details of the plan.
Jawaharlal Nehru: Jawaharlal Nehru harboured strong objections to key provisions of the Cabinet Mission Plan. His primary concerns revolved around the proposed weak central government and the compulsory grouping of provinces, which he feared would undermine the sovereignty and integrity of the future Indian Union. His interpretations of the plan's clauses often diverged from the British intent, contributing to its eventual failure.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: As the then-President of the Indian National Congress, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad initially supported the Cabinet Mission Plan as it offered a potential solution to avoid partition. However, his support was not unconditional. He also voiced concerns regarding the practical implementation of the plan, particularly the grouping clauses, and the potential for a weak federal structure, indicating that he was not "totally in favour" without reservations.