SIMLA: The Simla Conference has failed. Lord Wavell is reported to have expressed regret at the breakdown of the Conference to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Member of the Congress Working Committee, and Dr. Khan Saheb, the Frontier Premier, at their interview with the Viceroy yesterday [July 12].

The Congress Leaders are reported to be still hoping against hope and are attempting to revive the scheme in the near future … It is expected that both the Muslim League President and the Congress President will make their statements after the announcement of the failure of the Conference by the Viceroy. Lobby talks indicate that a demand will be made by the Muslim League … for fixing a date for general elections both to the Central and Provincial Legislatures. Though the Wavell Conference has failed and consequently the formation of a National Government is the immediate future has receded into the background, Congress circles believe that the personal contact established between Lord Wavell and top-ranking Congress leaders will be productive of some results, writes the political correspondent of the A.P.I. Lord Wavell made a personal appeal to both Mr. Gandhi and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to continue the co-operation they had shown during the Conference …

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2020