Vol. 17, Part I · pages 431–435

48 ALLIANCES WITH OTHER PARTIES WHOSE OBJECTIVES ARE NOT OPPOSED TO THOSE OF FEDERATION Patna, November 7, 1951. (PIT) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Leader of the Scheduled Castes Federation, told the Press Trust of India in an interview today that his party would seek to fight the elections not only in alliance with the Socialist Party but any other party whose objectives did not run counter to those of the Federation. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar had a talk with Mr. Jay Prakash Narayan, the Socialist leader, today for about an hour. The talks are believed to have centred round the question of an election alliance. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar said that his party would not in any case align with the Communist Party “for the plain reason that I do not believe in Communism,” Asked if he would prevent his party from aligning with the Communist Party simply because he was personally opposed to Communism, Dr. Ambedkar said : “I am not going to be a slave to my party so long as I and my party agree, we work together else we go our own way. I do not live on politics and I do not propose to live on politics.” Dr. B. R. Ambedkar added, however, that on the question of Communists there was no difference of opinion between him and his party. More Time Dr. Ambedkar said that he had along been opposed to the holding of the elections hastily. In his opinion at least one year’s time should have been given to the people between the passing of the People’s Representation Act and the actual holding of elections to enable them to prepare themselves. If he had time he would have exerted himself for forming a single party opposed to the Congress on Unitary or Federal basis. The provincial branches of the Federation, Dr. Ambedkar said, had been left free to enter into election alliances with other parties whose objectives were not opposed to those of Federation. zz The Chronicle, dated 8th November 1951.

49 NO MAN SHOULD BE THE JUDGE IN HIS OWN CASE New Delhi. December 10. 1951. Dr. Ambedkar, former Law Minister of India, and the Chief Architect of the Constitution, today appeared in the Supreme Court, as a practising lawyer. He would be shortly arguing the petitions of some Zamindars. Mr. P. R. Das, who was advancing his arguments almost thought today, at one stage made a reference to Dr. Ambedkar’s presence in the Court. He told the Court that a particular phrase existed in the draft constitution but was later deleted at the instance of Dr. Ambedkar. “Dr. Ambedkar” said Mr. Das, “is here. Your Lordship must call upon him to explain why those words were deleted”. (Loud Laughter).—UPI.”1 New Delhi, March 6.* Dr. Ambedkar, continuing his arguments before the Supreme Court, on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh zamindars, said that the State should not be the judge in determining the amount of compensation to be paid to the zamindars. Relying on American doctrines, Dr. Ambedkar said that according to jurisprudence no man should be the judge in his own case. Dr. Ambedkar was challenging the Uttar Pradesh zamindars and Estate Abolition Act on behalf of some zamindars petitioners. To a question from the Chief Justice as to what should be the remedy if State fixed the compensation, the counsel said that the Court should declare the compensation fixed by the State as arbitrary. Dr. Ambedkar said that the question of fixing compensation should be referred to an independent body and not to the State itself who sought to acquire the private properties. “The compensation fixed by the Uttar Pradesh Government was illusory and they would not get anything at all after the entire amount of debt was paid from the amount”, he added—P.T.I.”2 zz 1 : The Free Press Journal, dated 11th December 1951. 2 : The Free Press Journal, dated 5th March 1951, *One of the date seems to be incorrect—Editors.

50 ELECTION PETITION The 1st General Elections in India were declared in the year 1952. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar wanted alliance with likeminded political parties. In Maharashtra there was a talk for electoral alliance with the ‘Peasants and Workers Party’ and the Socialists. Mr. Jayaprakash Narayan and Mr. Ashok Mehta contacted Dr. Ambedkar through Acharya Donde, who met him at Delhi. The alliance between Scheduled Castes Federation and Socialist Party took place and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar filed his candidature for the House of People from Bombay City North Constituency as a Reserved Candidate. The Election was held on 3rd January 1952.—Editors. “BOMBAY RESULTS SHOCKING Inquiry Urged New Delhi, January, 5th, 1952. Dr. Ambedkar, former Law Minister of the Government of India, who is contesting the reserved seat from Bombay north, to the House of the People, said today that the results of the elections in Bombay City, so far declared, came as a great surprise and shock to the citizens of Bombay. In a statement issued today, Dr. Ambedkar said, the Congress show in the city was comparatively very poor. He claimed that the polling was heavily in favour of the Socialists and the Scheduled Castes Federation. “How the overwhelming support of the public of Bombay could have been belied so grossly is really a matter for inquiry by the Elections Commissioner” he said.—P. T. I.” 1 “AMBEDKAR, MEHTA FILE ELECTION PETITION New Delhi, April 24, 1952 Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, former Union Law Minister, and the Socialist leader, Mr. Ashok Mehta, have filed a joint election petition before the Chief Election Commissioner to set aside the election to the House of the People from the Bombay City North Parliamentary constituency, and declare it illegal. 1 : The Time of India, dated 6th January 1952.

409ELECTION PETITION This double-member constituency was the seen of a strong contest in which eight candidates, including Mr. S. A. Dange, Communist leader, took part. The Congress nominees, Mr. V. B. Gandhi, and Mr. N. S. Kajrolkar (Scheduled Caste) were elected in the contest. The election petition enumerates a number of grounds on which, it wants the election to be declared void.—P. T. I.” 1 “Dr. Ambedkar submitted his election petition on 21st April 1952 to the Election Commission. IN THE MATTER OF THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT, 1951 Election Petition under Section 81 to set aside the Election to the House of the People from the Bombay City North Constituency held on the 3rd day of January 1952. Before the Election Commission, NEW DELHI (1) Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, aged 60 of Bombay Inhabitant residing at Rajgriha, Hindu Colony, Dadar, without the Fort of Bombay. Petitioners.(2) Ashoka Ranjitram Mehta, aged 39 of Bombay Inhabitant residing at 3, Dadystth Street, near Babulnath Temple without the Fort of Bombay. Vs. (1) Shripad Amrit Dange aged 52 of Bombay Inhabitant residing at Shah Nivas, Muncipal House No. 3, Kohinoor Road, Dadar, without the Fort of Bombay. 1 : The National Standard, dated 25th April 1952.

410 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES (2) Gopal Vinayak Deshmukh, aged 56 of Bombay Inhabitant residing at 39, Peddar Road without the Fort of Bombay. Respondents. (3) Vithal Balkrishna Gandhi, aged 55 of Bombay Inhabitant residing at 23, Dwarkadas street, Khatau Building, within the Fort of Bombay. (4) Keshav Balkrishna Joshi, aged 49 of Bombay Inhabitant residing at P. 165, Shivaji Park, Road No. 6. Mahim, without the Fort of Bombay. (5) Narayan Sadoba Kajrolkar, aged 56 of Bombay Inhabitant residing at 187 Suparibaug Road, Parel, without the Fort of Bombay. (6) Nilkanath Baburao Paruiekar, aged 57 of Bombay Inhabitant residing at 157, Princess Street, without the Fort of Bombay. (7) Dattatray Ramchandra Gharpure, aged 62 of Bombay Inhabitant residing at Topiwala Mansion, 386, Sandhurst Road, without the Fort of Bombay. (8) Ramchandra Sadoba Kajrolkar, aged 42 of Bombay Inhabitant residing at 185, Suparibaug Road, Parel, without the Fort of Bombay. (9) Shantaram Sawalram Mirajkar, aged 49 of Bombay Inhabitant residing at Abdul Kadar Chambers, Municipal House No. P.L, 180, St. Xavier’s Street, Bhoiwada Police Station Area, without the Fort of Bombay.