Congress Socialist Party

The Congress Socialist Party (CSP) was a socialist group within the Indian National Congress. When the Communist Party was banned and the Congress Party was not taking up the cause of peasants and workers seriously, some socialist minds within Congress formed the All India Congress Socialist Party in 1934 in Bombay. It was founded by Jayaprakash Narayan, Acharya Narendra Dev, Ram Manohar Lohia, Yusuf Meherally, Minoo Masani, and other socialist leaders. The first president was Acharya Narendra Dev, and Jayaprakash Narayan was the first Secretary. Their aim was to work within the Congress but for twin objectives—Independence and Socialism. They believed that Congress was a true all-India party to fight against imperialism, but it was dominated by capitalists and zamindars. They wanted to influence the Congress Party with socialist ideas and push it to adopt policies favourable to peasants and workers.

The Congress Socialists, in the beginning, attempted to control the party (the Congress) from the top. When they failed, they tried to include their men along with others in top positions. The leftist influence in the party was visible from 1936 to 1939 when Nehru and Subhas were chosen as Presidents of the Indian National Congress in successive terms (Nehru: 1936 and 1937; Subhas: 1938 and 1939). Congress Socialists, unlike the Communists, did not adopt a confrontationist policy toward Congress and supported Gandhi at Tripuri (1939).

The Left, in all its shades, had many shortcomings too. They gave more attention to urban workers than to rural peasants—the true face of India. Besides, they often wasted their energy in conflicts with Congress. Many times, they failed to grasp the situation and did not participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement. They also did not believe in Gandhi’s compromise formula. Most of the time, they adopted a confrontationist policy—fighting against the British, against capitalists, against zamindars, against Congress, and even among themselves. Still, the contribution of the Left cannot be ignored. Its contribution can be summed up as follows:

1. It influenced the Congress Party, as the majority of AICC (one-third) members were either socialists or communists.

2. The Resolution of the Karachi Session (1931) of Congress was influenced by them.

3. The Faizpur Resolution (1937) was influenced by them.

4. The National Planning Committee (1938) was influenced by them.

5. The All India Student Federation was inspired and influenced by them.

6. The All India States' Peoples Conference was supported by them.

7. The All India Women's Conference was formed with their help.