New Delhi, 30-3-39.
My dear Subhas,
I have delayed my reply to your letter of 26th instant for the sake of having your reply to my wire. I got Sunil’s wire last night. I have now got up before morning prayer time to write this reply.
Since you think that Pt. Pant’s resolution was out of order and the clause relating to the Working Committee is clearly unconstitutional and ultra vires, your course is absolutely clear. Your choice of the Committee should be unfettered.
Your several questions on this head therefore do not need any answering.
Since we met in February my opinion has become strengthened that where there are differences on fundamentals, as we agreed there were, a composite Committee would be harmful. Assuming therefore that your policy has the backing of the majority of the AICC you should have a Working Committee, composed purely of those who believe in your policy.
Yes, I adhere to the view expressed by me at Segaon at our February meeting that I would not be guilty of being party to any self-suppression by you, as distinguished from voluntary self-effacement. Any subordination of a view which you may strongly hold as in the best interest of the country would be self-suppression. Therefore, if you are to function as President your hands must be unfettered. The situation before the country admits of no middle course.
So far as the Gandhiites (to use that wrong expression) are concerned they will not obstruct you. They will help you where they can, they will abstain where they cannot. There should be no difficulty whatsoever, if they are in a minority. They may not suppress themselves if they are clearly in a majority.
What worries me, however, is the fact that the Congress electorate is bogus and that therefore majority and minority lose their full meaning. Nevertheless till the Congress stable is cleansed, we have to manage with the instrument we have for the time being. The other thing worrying me is the terrible distrust among ourselves. Joint work is an impossibility where the workers distrust one another.
I think there is no other point in your letter that needs answering.
In all you do, may you be guided by God. Do be well quickly by obeying the doctors.
Love.—Bapu.
Note: So far as I am concerned our correspondence need not be published. But you have my permission to publish it, if you think otherwise.