Cooper ministry

Following the 1937 Bombay Presidency elections, Indian National Congress emerged as the largest group in the Bombay Legislative Assembly. However, when its leader B. G. Kher refused to form a government, Governor Lord Brabourne instead invited Dhanjishah Cooper, an independent member from Satara, to be the Presidency's prime minister on 1 April 1937. Cooper accepted and thus, became's Bombay's first prime minister.[1] The four-member ministry he formed shortly resigned due to lack of majority support, and was replaced by Kher's ministry in July 1937.[2]

Cooper ministry

Government of Bombay Presidency
Date formed1 April 1937
Date dissolved19 July 1937
People and organisations
GovernorLord Brabourne
Prime MinisterDhanjishah Cooper
Total no. of members4 Cabinet ministers (Incl. Chief Minister)
Member partiesIndependents
DSP
AIML
Opposition partyCongress
History
Election(s)1937
Legislature term(s)5 years
PredecessorNone
SuccessorKher I

Government formation

Indian National Congress had secured highest seats in the 1937 elections. However, the party refused to form a government due to disagreements over the Governor's reserve powers as envisioned by the Government of India Act, 1935.[3] After Congress' B. G. Kher refused his mandate, the Governor invited the second-largest Muslim League. Citing that the League would be unable to maintain a stable majority, Ali Muhammad Khan Dehlavi refused office as well.[4]

After either party had refused, the Governor invited Cooper to take up premiership. Cooper tried establishing a government of non-Congress parties, including Muslim League and Democratic Swarajya Party.[4]

List of ministers

Cooper's ministry had four cabinet ministers.[2]

PortfolioMinisterTook officeLeft officeParty
Prime Minister1 April 193719 July 1937 Independent
Education1 April 193719 July 1937 Independent
Finance and Revenue
Jamnadas Mehta
1 April 193719 July 1937 DSP
Local Self-government1 April 193719 July 1937 AIML

References
  1. Nauzer Bharucha (4 October 2014). "'Parsis are not interested in politics anymore'". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  2. Bombay 1937-1938: A Review of the Administration of the Bombay Presidency. Mumbai: Government Central Press, Bombay. 1939. pp. 160–161.
  3. "Governors Refuse to Give Assurances: C. R. and Kher Decline to Take Up Office - Bombay Leader's Statement". The Indian Express. 27 March 1937. p. 1. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  4. "Bombay Ministry Goes Abegging". The Indian Express. 29 March 1937. p. 1. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
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