Cooper ministry
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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 formed | 1 April 1937 |
| Date dissolved | 19 July 1937 |
| People and organisations | |
Governor | Lord Brabourne |
Prime Minister | Dhanjishah Cooper |
Total no. of members | 4 Cabinet ministers (Incl. Chief Minister) |
Member parties | Independents DSP AIML |
Opposition party | Congress |
| History | |
| Election | 1937 |
| Legislature term | 5 years |
| Predecessor | None |
| Successor | Kher 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] In May 1937, Jamnadas Mehta of Democratic Swaraj Party joined the Cooper ministry on the condition of the unconditional release of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar from detention.[5] Freeing Savarkar from all restrictions was a significant action by the short-lived Cooper ministry.[6]
List of ministers
Cooper's ministry had four cabinet ministers.[2]
| Portfolio | Minister | Took office | Left office | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | 1 April 1937 | 19 July 1937 | Independent | ||
| Education | 1 April 1937 | 19 July 1937 | Independent | ||
| Finance and Revenue | Jamnadas Mehta | 1 April 1937 | 19 July 1937 | DSP | |
| Local Self-government | 1 April 1937 | 19 July 1937 | AIML | ||