Correct Option
The correct option is 1, 2 and 4.
[as per provisional answerkey]Explanation
The formation of the Forward Bloc in May 1939 was a direct consequence of the internal ideological and tactical rift within the Indian National Congress following the Tripuri Session. Subhas Chandra Bose sought to consolidate the radical and leftist elements to push for an immediate mass struggle against British rule, a move resisted by the Congress High Command and the Right Wing.
- Statement 1 is Correct: Despite winning the presidential election at Tripuri in 1939, Bose could not function effectively because he failed to win the confidence of Mahatma Gandhi. The "Pant Resolution" mandated that the Congress Working Committee be formed according to Gandhi's wishes, which Gandhi refused to provide, leading to a deadlock and Bose's eventual resignation.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The Congress Left was a heterogeneous group consisting of Socialists, Communists, and Royists. During the crisis, this bloc remained disunited. Their lack of a cohesive strategy and failure to provide unwavering support to Bose against the Right Wing pressure weakened his position within the party.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Communists (CPI) initially supported Bose during the presidential election. While they later vacillated during the Tripuri session to maintain Congress unity, they were not the primary factor cited for the formation of the Forward Bloc in the same context as the Royists or the CSP leadership's specific tactical shifts.
- Statement 4 is Correct: Key socialist leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan (Congress Socialist Party) and M.N. Roy (League of Radical Congressmen) ultimately prioritized the "unity of the Congress" over supporting Bose’s radical alternative. The CSP remained neutral during the crucial voting on the Pant Resolution, which effectively isolated Bose and forced him to form a new platform.
The Forward Bloc was formed because Subhas Chandra Bose was unable to secure the cooperation of the Gandhian leadership and failed to unify the fragmented Left-wing factions, who prioritized organizational unity over his militant program.