Constituent Assembly of India

This post is about Constituent Assembly of india. Constitution of India is the text that helps this huge country run smoothly with its guidance and rules. Because we needed some brilliant minds who could design the constitution and imagine the future of this nation, so a Constituent Assembly was formed for this purpose and it took the responsibility for framing the constitution.

Demand for the Constitution of India

1934- M.N. Roy gave the idea of constitution. He was important leaders of the communist movement in India.

1935- INC (Indian National Congress) demanded for the formation of constitutional Assembly.

1938- Jawahar Lal Nehru officially demanded for the constitution of India on the behalf of INC. He said that the constitution of free india should be formed by an assembly elected on the basis of adult franchise. Moreover, it will be done without any outside interference.

Composition

• Total 389 members. Out of this, 296 were from British Provinces and 93 were from Princely states.
• British provinces got 296 seats and heads of princely states got 93 seats for the representation in assembly. Elected members came from Provinces. Nominated members came from Princely states.
• In all, there were 296 seats. 11 british governor’s provinces got 292 seats. 4 Chief Commissioner’s province got 4 seats.
• princely states and provinces got the seats in proportion to their population.
• Muslims, Sikhs and general categories got the seats as per their proportion in the population.
• Elections took place in July- August 1946. INC won 208 seats, Muslim League (ML) won 73 seats and independent and small groups got 15 seats.

Working of the Constituent Assembly

9th december 1946– First Meeting of the assembly took place . As per the french practice, the senior-most member of the assembly DR SACHCHIDANANDA SINHA became temporary president of constituent assembly. Members of the assembly elected him.

11th december 1946- Dr. Rajendra Prasad became permanent president of constituent assembly.

There were 2 Vice presidents in the assembly. They were “H C Mukherjee” and “V T Krishnamachari“.

13th december 1946- Jawahar Lal Nehru introduced “Objective Resolution” in constituent assembly.

Functions performed by Constituent Assembly

• The nominees of many princely states gradually joined the assembly. Most of the states joined indian union and sent their nominees to the assembly after the acceptance of Mountbatten plan on 3 June 1946.
• The constituent assembly of india got many powers after passing of indian independence act 1947. It could now perform many functions.
• It got full authority over making of the constitution. Subsequenty, Assembly also got power to abrogate or alter the laws made under british rule.
• Assembly also became a legislative body. G V Mavalankar was the head when assembly performed as a legislature whereas Dr Rajendra prasad remained head of the constituent assembly.
• It worked till 26 November 1949 as a constituent assembly i e upto the formation of constitution Whereas it performed as legislative body till 17 April 1952 (formation of new parliament).
• After the partition, Muslim league members from Pakistan region withdrew from the assembly. The total strength of assembly from Indian union remained 299. 229 out of 299 were from british provinces and 70 were from Princely states.
• The constituent assembly ratified India’s membership of the commonwealth in may 1949.
• Constituent Assembly adopted national flag on 22 July 1947.
• Constituent assembly adopted National anthem, national song and elected Dr rajendra prasad as the first president of India on 24th january 1950.