Explore the key debates and strategic decisions after the Civil Disobedience Movement, including Nehru’s opposition to the S-T-S strategy, the First Stage Debate, and the council entry decision. Understand their impact on India's political landscape.

The First Stage Debate (1934-35)

• Gandhian Constructive Work: Advocated by traditionalists. Focused on constructive activities.
• Constitutional Struggle and Council Participation: Advocated by M.A. Ansari, Asaf Ali, Bhulabhai Desai, S. Satyamurthy, B.C. Roy.
• Arguments:
  • Maintain political interest and morale.
  • Utilize elections to keep Congress active.
  • Prepare masses for the next struggle phase.
  • Enhance Congress prestige and confidence.
  • Equivalent to the movement in councils.
• Leftist Perspective: Led by Jawaharlal Nehru. Critical of constructive work and council entry. Favored resumption of non-constitutionalist mass struggle.
• Nehru's Vision:
  • Abolition of capitalism, establishment of socialism.
  • Withdrawal from Civil Disobedience Movement seen as a “spiritual defeat”.
  • Suggested revising vested interests in favor of the masses.
  • Emphasized economic and class demands.
  • Advocated continuous confrontation with imperialism.

Nehru’s Opposition to S-T-S Strategy

• Struggle-Truce-Struggle (S-T-S) Strategy: Supported by Gandhi and a large number of Congressmen.
• Arguments:
  • Mass struggle followed by a truce for masses to recuperate.
  • Provide government with a chance to respond.
  • Resume struggle if demands are not met.
• Nehru’s Critique: Advocated continuous direct action without constitutional phases. Proposed Struggle-Victory (S-V) strategy instead.
• Emphasis: Real power cannot be won by small victories.

Final Decision on Council Entry

• Conciliation by Gandhi: Agreed to council entry, acknowledging it would not lead to freedom directly.
• Participation Conditions: Allowed Congressmen to participate in elections if not engaged in satyagraha or constructive work.
• Gandhi's Stance: Emphasized avoiding constitutionalism and self-serving behavior. Assured that withdrawal from Civil Disobedience was not a compromise with imperialism.
• Establishment of Parliamentary Board: AICC set up a Parliamentary Board in May 1934 for elections. Gandhi's resignation from Congress in October 1934.
• Socialists' View: Led by Nehru, the socialists emphasized anti-imperialist struggle before socialism. Advocated gradual radicalization of Congress rather than isolation.