Correct Option
The Congress Socialist Party (CSP) was founded in 1934 as an ideological group within the Indian National Congress. Its primary objective was to achieve socialism through democratic and non-violent means, working within the broader nationalist movement. The party's program focused on economic restructuring, land reforms, and workers' rights, distinguishing itself from both orthodox Gandhian methods and revolutionary communist approaches.
Statement 1 is incorrect: The CSP did not advocate for the boycott of British goods or evasion of taxes as its primary methods. These strategies were characteristic of Mahatma Gandhi's non-cooperation and civil disobedience movements, which the CSP, while part of the Congress, did not exclusively champion as its own core program.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The CSP did not aim to establish the dictatorship of the proletariat. This concept is a fundamental tenet of Marxist-Leninist communism, which the CSP, despite its socialist ideology, did not adopt. The CSP sought to achieve socialism through democratic processes and parliamentary action, rather than through a revolutionary overthrow leading to a proletarian dictatorship.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The CSP did not advocate for separate electorates for minorities and oppressed classes. Like the mainstream Indian National Congress, the CSP generally opposed separate electorates, viewing them as divisive and detrimental to national unity. Its focus was on class solidarity and economic justice for all oppressed sections of society, rather than on communal or caste-based political divisions.
Since all three statements are incorrect, option (4) "None" is the correct answer.
Incorrect Options
Options (1) "1 and 2 only", (2) "3 only", and (3) "1, 2 and 3" are incorrect because, as explained above, none of the individual statements (1, 2, or 3) accurately describe the Congress Socialist Party's ideology or methods. The CSP did not advocate for boycotts/tax evasion, dictatorship of the proletariat, or separate electorates.