Atlee’s Statement suggested that a deadline of June 30, 1948 was fixed for transfer of power even if the Indian politicians had not agreed by that time on the constitution.
It proposed a three-tier administrative structure for British India, with the Federal Union at the top tier, Groups of provinces as a middle tier and individual provinces at the bottom.
The idea was to reconstruct the governor-general’s executive council pending the preparation of a new constitution.
The great significance was that the movement placed the demand for independence on the immediate agenda of the national movement. After Quit India, there could be no retreat.
Cripps mission was a blue print for India’s partition and Gandhiji described it as a “a post-dated cheque” because of the offer of Dominion status.
The reason for the launch was to show that nationalist patience was not due to weakness and the demand was freedom of speech against the war through an anti-war declaration.
Dominion Status, Expansion of the viceroy’s executive council and Setting up of a constituent assembly after the war were some major proposals.
The government’s response was entirely negative. Viceroy Linlithgow, in his statement, tried to use the Muslim League and the princes against the Congress.
The Congress leadership wanted “to give every chance to the viceroy and the British Government”.
August offer, Cripps Mission, Quit India movement, the Cabinet Mission and Mountbatten plan clearly explained.
