The War and The Formation Of The Coalition Ministry of Orissa (1939–1944)

The out break of war coincided with hectic political activities in orissa following the resignation of Biswanath Das's Government. A provincial unit of the Forward Block party was constituted in march 1940 under the presidentship of Dibakar Patnaik. The congress members launched a vigorous campaign of civil disobedience, staging hartals picketing and processions. There was scathing public criticism against the war policy of the Government irrespective of party affiliation. The Raja of Paralakhemundi was invited by the Governor to form a coalition Government with the National Party, the United Party, Muslim League and the defector. Congress members of the Assembly as the constitutes. On 24 November 1941, the Raja formed a new Government with Godabarisha Mishra and Abdus Sobhan Khanas the Ministers. This political marriage of convenience was destined to be shipwrecked sooner or later because the leader lacked the support of majority members in the Assembly. 27 members were in support of the Raja as against a solid block of 32 congress men who were avowed opposed to the coalition. The Ministers tried to defend themselves by making ridiculous public statement, such as their aim was to defend India against foreign aggression. In spite of the mounting public criticism, the Coalition Government gave Orissa a long cherished University and Medical College at Cuttack. Both these institutions helped to accelerate the progress of higher education in the state. A split in the Swarajist Party of Godabarisha Mishra forced the Raja to tender his resignation on 20 June 1944, which was followed by imposition of Governor's rule. The resignation of the Premier and other ministers was accepted on 29 June 1944. It ended the rule of the Coalition Ministry and Orissa reverted back to the administration under the section 93 of the Government of India Act, 1935 from 30 June 1944.