"The Constituent Assembly was dominated by one party." With reference to this, consider the following statements: 1. The Congress held only 40 % of the seats in the Assembly. 2. The Congress members held diverse views on issues ranging from landlordism to socialism. 3. The discussions were influenced by public opinion and criticisms in the press. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

"The Constituent Assembly was dominated by… - NCERT Class 12 History MCQ

NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 4: Framing the Constitution - The Beginning of a New Era

mcqmedium

"The Constituent Assembly was dominated by one party." With reference to this, consider the following statements:

The Congress held only 40 % of the seats in the Assembly.
The Congress members held diverse views on issues ranging from landlordism to socialism.
The discussions were influenced by public opinion and criticisms in the press.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT Themes in Indian History - 3 · Page 319

Options

A1 and 2 only
B1, 2 and 3
C2 only
D2 and 3 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

The Constituent Assembly of India was formed in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan. While the Congress party held a dominant position within the Assembly, the drafting process was characterized by democratic deliberation, internal diversity, and responsiveness to public sentiment.

Statement 1 is Incorrect:

The Congress party held a massive majority in the Constituent Assembly, far exceeding 40 %. In the 1946 elections, the Congress won 208 out of the 296 seats allotted to British India. Following the Partition and the withdrawal of the Muslim League members, the Congress's share rose to approximately 82 % of the total membership.

Statement 2 is Correct:

The Indian National Congress was not a monolithic party with a single ideology. It functioned as a broad coalition representing diverse sections of society. Its members held varied views, ranging from conservative landlords to socialists, and included defenders of communal rights as well as secularists. This internal diversity ensured that multiple perspectives were debated within the party meetings and the Assembly floor.

Statement 3 is Correct:

The deliberations of the Constituent Assembly were not insulated from the public. The debates were widely reported in newspapers, and the members were sensitive to public opinion. Criticisms and suggestions expressed in the press and by various public associations significantly influenced the discussions and the final consensus on constitutional provisions.

Key Takeaway:

Although the Constituent Assembly was numerically dominated by the Congress (holding over 80% of seats post-partition), it functioned democratically due to the party's internal ideological diversity and the Assembly's active engagement with public opinion and press criticism.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: Framing the Constitution - The Beginning of a New Era

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