During the Second World War, Lord Linlithgow had claimed that the uniting and independence of the country was of no use if the groups of the country were not unified and joined together. It was only possible if the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress were unified. On one hand, Muslim League was demanding a separate country for the majority of Muslims, while on the other hand, the Indian National Congress was against such a practice of partition. So, there was a sense of political deadlock between the two parties in the country. To resolve such differences and disparities, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari came up with a proposal that laid out a set of plans, known as the CR formula or the Rajaji formula.

INC and Muslim League

The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885, with the demand for self-governance in our country. On the other hand, the All India Muslim League is a body that solely focused on protecting the rights and liberties of the Muslims in the country and came into existence in 1906. 

In 1916, the All India Muslim League agreed with the INC for a unified effort in the home rule movement. It was done on the constraint that the country needs to have two electoral systems in which the Muslims will have independent boundaries for contesting elections and voting. After winning elections in all the major Muslim constituencies, Congress refused to share its power with the Muslim League. 

The All India Muslim League was also dissatisfied with the aspect that it didn’t even succeed in those areas that had a Muslim majority. Thus, a judgment of eventual controversy began between the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League, which resulted in their demand of establishing a separate nation for the Muslims that would be independent of Indian principles. 

Who was Chakravarti Rajagopalachari?

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari was a significant Congress leader, who belonged to Madras. Moving on the footpath and directions of Gandhiji, Rajaji was also known as Gandhi’s conscience keeper. Interestingly, he was the first one in the Congress party to have realized that the phenomenon of partition was inevitable and that it can’t be avoided by the leaders of India. 

Having been criticized by the other Congress leaders, Rajagopalachari was asked to resign from his posting on the say of Mahatma Gandhi. After resigning, they came up with a well-known pact, known as the C R formula that laid various sets of plans, as to how the two outraged groups, the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League be united for the advantage of the nation.  

What is the C R Formula?

C R Formula or Rajaji formula was a recommendation given by Chakravarti Rajagopalachari to figure out and solve the political stalemate that was existing between Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. The political deadlock was the outcome of the controversy when Congress refused to share its power with the Muslim League. 

Rajagopalachari Formula also acted as a basis of Gandhi’s talks with Jinnah regarding the terms of a partition. It was in September 1944, that the two met to ease the deadlock that had been created between the two important groups. Mahatma Gandhi kept the CR Formula as a plan in front of Jinnah. However, sooner the talks and negotiations failed between Jinnah and Gandhi. 

Proposals under C R Formula

Certain proposals were made by Chakravarti Rajagopalachari under his Rajagopalachari Formula. They are: 

• The All India Muslim League and the Indian National Congress would work together in bringing independence to the country
• Formation of a provisional government at the centre, with the cooperation of both the parties
• After the War of Independence, a committee would be set to demarcate those areas that have a Muslim majority and administer an election, if or not Muslims wanted a separate nation
• In case the country undergoes a situation of partition, the fields of defence, communication, and commerce should be safeguarded by the authority 
• Nonetheless, all the above-mentioned proposals are only applicable, if the Britishers decide to disseminate all the powers to the hands of the authorities of the country

Reactions 

Rajaji Formula also acted as a basis of Gandhi’s talks with Jinnah regarding the terms of a partition. It was in September 1944, that the two met to ease the deadlock that had been created between the two important groups. Mahatma Gandhi kept the CR Formula as a plan in front of Jinnah. But, Jinnah had certain objections to the formulated plan which led to its contradiction. 

• Jinnah expected a Two-nation theory under this plan, which it failed to present. So, thus it was rejected
• He wanted the entire Muslim population to vote, instead of the system of the plebiscite that gave rights to the Muslim majority area to vote
• Jinnah was in acceptance of a separate dominion for the Muslims, even before the Britishers left the country

Conclusion 

It should be noted that the Indian National Congress was willing to collude at that moment, as it didn’t want the partition to take place. The body even willingly accepted to provide some concessions to the Muslim League, but it didn’t prove active for the situation. This was because the All India Muslim League was more interested in the idea of partition, rather than staying in the country as a minority community. 

As the partition took place, at every moment the basic concept of the C R formula lost its essence, it means that it failed to engulf the gap that was formed between the All India Muslim League and the Indian National Congress and thus ceased to function about the political deadlocks that were present between both the parties.