Editing Pakistan Movement (section)

=== C. R. formula and Cabinet Mission ===
{{Main|C. R. formula|1946 Cabinet Mission to India}}
Talks were held between [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]] and [[Mahatma Gandhi]] in 1944. Jinnah negotiated as the representative of the Muslims. Gandhi rejected and insisted that the [[Indian National Congress]] alone represented all of India, including Muslims. Gandhi proposed the [[C. R. formula|C.R Formula]], which sought to first achieve independence from the British and then settle the issue of Pakistan through a plebiscite in Muslim majority districts in which the non-Muslims would also vote. Jinnah rejected both postponing decision on [[partition of British India]] and the formula in favor of the immediate creation of [[Pakistan]].

In 1945 and 1946 general and provincial elections were held in India respectively. The [[All-India Muslim League|Muslim League]] of Jinnah secured most of the Muslim vote in both elections. Jinnah interpreted the results as the entire Muslim nation's demand for partition and a separate state of Pakistan. Congress was forced to recognise the Muslim League as the sole representative of the Muslims.

The same year the British sent a [[1946 Cabinet Mission to India|delegation]] to India to determine its constitutional status and to address the Hindu-Muslim differences. The delegation proposed a plan that three groups in India be formed. One would consist of the Muslim majority Northwest zone, another would consist of the Hindu majority center and the third the Eastern zone of India. The proposal further contemplated the independence of Muslim majority provinces after ten years of Indian Independence. An [[Interim Government of India|interim government]] was to be set up until independence.

The Congress Party rejected the separation of the provinces but agreed to the formation of an interim government. The plan stated that whichever party will agree to the whole of the plan will be allowed to form the interim government which would be established after the General elections in 1946.

Jinnah decided to agree to the plan. The British still invited the Congress to form a government with the Muslim League and the [[Governor-General of India|Viceroy of India]] assigned the Office of [[Prime Minister of India|Prime minister]] to [[Jawaharlal Nehru|Nehru]] of the Indian National Congress.