THE Tripartite Conference was adjourned till 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8 “in order to give the parties an opportunity to think over and discuss the points raised”, it was officially announced in Simla on Monday.

The Conference resumed its sitting at 11-30 a.m. on Monday. The Muslim League delegates conferred for 75 minutes at the residence of Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan before going to Viceregal Lodge. “Maulana” Abul Kalam Azad, the Congress President and other members of the Congress delegation held another conference with Mr. Gandhi … prior to the resumption of the conference… . General opinion … is that the next two or three days should decide whether the Conference will succeed or fail. Congress and Muslim leaders, not to speak of Cabinet Mission quarters, are very reserved and cautious … regarding the possible outcome of the Conference. This is perhaps due to a desire on the part of all concerned not to air any hasty opinion … which may jeopardise the chances of success.

…The discussions are reported to be free and frank and both Mr. Jinnah and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru are reported to have made a good deal of contribution to the discussions during Sunday’s session.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2021