ON Tuesday [May 7], there was comparatively little political activity in Simla and the only highlight was a ninety-minute consultation among the members of the League Delegation at “Yarrows”.

The general trend of Tuesday’s talks was one of pessimism. It is felt that the gulf between the League and the Congress is as wide as ever. …According to an unconfirmed report, Rashtrapati Azad has addressed a letter to the Mission suggesting that the question of Pakistan should not be discussed at this Conference but should be left to a Constituent Assembly. The feeling is growing that the attitude of the Congress is not favourable for the successful termination of the second Simla Conference.

Tuesday which began somewhat quietly showed … activity in Congress circles as the day advanced … Except in the Muslim League camp … the atmosphere elsewhere was extremely jittery and the majority of journalists who are in Simla were also visibly affected.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2021