Question
In what sense was the Congress an ideological coalition ? Mention the various ideological currents present within the Congress.
Solution
The Congress was an ideological coalition for the following reasons:
(i) It accommodated revolutionary and pacifist, conservative and radical, extremist and moderate and the right left and all shades of the centre.
(ii) The Congress was a ‘platform’ for numerous groups, interests and even political parties to take part in the national movement.
(iii) In pre–Independence days, many organisations and parties with their own constitution and organisational structure were allowed to exist within the Congress.
It was Congress socialist Party. Despite differences regarding the methods, specific programmes and policies the party managed to contain if not resolve differences and build a consensus.
