Thinking through the Grouping Plan: The role of Gopinath Bordoloi in the Grouping crisis of Assam

In the wake of political ups and down after the close of the Second World War; there arose two distinct political conjecture. In the three previous years the conditions in India following the Quit India movement and the aftermath of the INA trial vastly altered the political scenario in India. The assumption of power by Labour Party in the 10 Downing Street, at the end first parliamentary poll in Britain after Second World War, the new Prime minister, Mr. Attlee, in a statement in the House of Commons said that a proposal was underway to solve the issue of Indian Independence. Secondly, Wavell announced to hold general election in September19, 1945 in India. As there was no direct signal on independence issue, the Congress Working Committee was not happy on the announcement of the Viceroy but they purposefully prepared for the election to achieve the goal of independence. In Assam INC, Muslim League, Zamiyat –Ul- Ulema, Ahom Association, Hindu- Mahasabha, CPI and Tribal League had preparing for upcoming general election for the province of Assam.

The Atlee Government send a Cabinet Mission to India for negotiations with the Indian leaders for transfer of power. In setting out the structure of the Grouping part of Cabinet Mission plan, the Mission explained that there would be three Groups: Group C consisting of Assam and Bengal.This mischievous plan design that it would place Assam at the mercy of the Muslim majority Bengal for all time to come. So, it was anuphill task for the Assamese people how to tackle the situation.