In a statement on the proceedings of the All-India Congress Committee at Wardha Sj. Subhas Chandra Bose says:
According to the ruling given by Dr Rajendra Prasad, after the disciplinary action taken against me, I am no longer a member of the All-India Congress Committee or of the Provincial Congress Committee, though according to the Congress constitution an ex-President is an ex-officio member of both these bodies. I could not therefore attend the meeting of the All-India Congress Committee and what I shall now say will be the basis of newspaper reports. At the outset I cannot help expressing my regret that our appeals made since last year were not taken seriously by the Congress authorities.
My second regret is that declaration on behalf of the Congress was not made immediately after the war started. At that time the British Government did not know what India’s reaction would be. Consequently if the Congress declaration had been the first in the field it would have had a considerable effect on the Government and the latter might have considered seriously the desirability of meeting the Congress demands.
My third regret is that while on the one hand the Congress remained mum, Mahatma Gandhi proceeded to meet the Viceroy without caring to consult those who have influence within the Congress or without Though he spoke in his personal capacity, any statement of Mahatma Gandhi even when made in’ his personal capacity is bound to have far-reaching repercussions in view of his outstanding public position in this country.
My fourth regret is that though Great Britain declared war on the 3rd September and today is the 10th October, the Congress has not yet been able to make up its mind.
In the early days of the war the British Government was naturally encouraged to hope that the Indian National Congress would cooperate with the British Government in-its war efforts. The Working Committee adopted a resolution last month which is now being endorsed by the All-India Congress Committee. But this belated effort is bound to fail. A similar effort which according to Press reports is being made by the Labour Party will not meet with a better fate.
There is now a fresh opportunity before us. If we rise to the occasion and avail ourselves of it we shall still achieve our political emancipation.”