41 SOCIAL SCIENTIST ill his analysis they do not form a part of the "primary contradiction'. Even in individual capacity, where they did support the Congress, was the tupport forth coming due to nationalism? Was not any vested class interest 'also behind it? I have else where shown that the landlords were never a constituent in the multi-class alliance against colonialism.11 Though the Congress had always assured them about their status and privileges it was only during the ministry period that a formal direct relationship was established between the two. To sustain their dominant position, to pursue their class interests, the Congress victory in elections and the increasing Influence of the left among the masses were the factors responsible for this direct relationship which the landlords and the Congress right wing sought with each other. The outcome was the Congress-zamindar pact in Bihar and similar negotiations in other regions. The revealing feature of this ^act and negotiations is that while questions related to landlords' rights and privileges, along with the tenants' position, were discussed and agreed upon there was no mention of landlords role in the INM. In the vast literature available on Congress-zamindar negotiations (1937-39) we find that those negotiating on behalf of the Congress at no stage asked the landlords to support or side with the national movement. These leaders (Rajendra Prasad, SardarPatel, Maulana Azad,etc.) were fully aware of the fact that they had acted against the declared policy (Lucknow and Faizpur resolutions) of the Congress and they took precautions to justify their actions. This is apparent from what Rajendra Prasad wrote to Ramdayalu Sinha:12 ... we had gone to the furthest length possible and had done so even at the risk of being openly criticised in the All India Congress Committee of having gone against the Congress resolution. I had in anticipation brought the Maulana so that if any question arose in the Working Committee or the AICC, I might have a strong supporter by my side. Prasad had no doubts that he 'shall come in for a great deal of criticism from not only the Kisan Sabha but Congressmen in general and even perhaps from our high command'.18 Azad was assigned the task of taking Jawaharlal Nehru into confidence and he believed that the latter had *an uncommon capacity for thought and to work in co-operation with others'. Azad gave the assurance that there will be no difficulty as far as Nehru was concerned.14 The green signal from Nehru, to go against the declared Congress policy, came when Kriplani wrote on his behalf:15 'If You and Maulana Saheb were satisfied it was alright'. What followed was the process for agreement during which Prasad pleaded with landlords that if the Congress proposals were "unsatisfactory the zamindars should be prepared to propose a better solution' and assured Mohd. Ismail that the 'Government will not fail to give it their utmost consideration'.16 Here I am not going into the details of the agreement but worth mentioning is what Patel advised Prasad:17