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C. Rajagopalachari forms first Congress ministry

· Chennai

C. Rajagopalachari forms first Congress ministry
India Post, Government of India, GODL-India · Wikimedia Commons

C. Rajagopalachari became Premier of Madras at the head of the first Congress government in the Presidency.

After initially refusing office over the Governor's special powers, the Congress agreed to form governments in 1937, and C. Rajagopalachari became Premier of Madras in July. His ministry introduced prohibition on an experimental basis in Salem district and passed laws to relieve agricultural debt. It also passed legislation supporting temple entry. The ministry resigned in October 1939 along with other Congress ministries in protest against India being declared a party to the Second World War.

Related events

  1. 1937

    1. Feb 1937ChennaiPolitics

      Congress wins 1937 Madras Presidency election

      The Indian National Congress won a large majority in the first Madras Legislative Assembly election under provincial autonomy, routing the Justice Party.

  2. 1938

    1. Mar 1938ChennaiLegislation

      Madras Agriculturists Relief Act eases peasant debt

      A law to reduce the debts of indebted farmers in the Madras Presidency was brought in by the Rajagopalachari ministry.

  3. 1939

    1. 1939ChennaiLegislation

      Madras Temple Entry Authorization and Indemnity Act

      A law passed by the Rajagopalachari ministry lifted the bars on Dalits and Shanars entering Hindu temples across the Presidency.

    2. 20 May 1939ChennaiCinema

      Thyaga Bhoomi released and banned

      Thyaga Bhoomi, K. Subramanyam's nationalist film adapted from a Kalki story, was banned by the British administration after release.

    3. Oct 1939ChennaiPolitics

      Congress ministry resigns over the Second World War

      The Rajagopalachari ministry resigned in protest against the Viceroy declaring India at war without consultation, and Governor's rule followed.

  4. 1946

    1. 30 Apr 1946 to 23 Mar 1947ChennaiGovernance

      T. Prakasam becomes Premier of Madras

      T. Prakasam was elected Congress legislature leader and formed a ministry, defeating the candidate backed by Rajagopalachari.

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