ministrations, and these in turn would elect a president who would be the national chief executive.”
“That is very much like the Soviet system,” I said.
“I did not know that,” Gandhi admitted. “I don’t mind.”
“Now, Mr. Gandhi,” I said, “I would like to ask you a second question about Congress. Congress has been accused of being an authoritarian organization. There is a new book out by two British authors, Shuster and Wint, called India and Democracy, which makes the charge that when the Congress provincial ministries resigned in 1939 they did so not of their own volition but on the orders of the district dictators of Congress.”
“This is nonsense,” Gandhi said emphatically. “Do you think all questions are decided in the House of Commons or are decisions taken in party caucuses and in the clubs of London? Congress officers are elected by the members of Congress, and ministers who are members of Congress abide by the principles of Congress. Sir Samuel Hoare has told me a few things about the workings of democracy in Britain.”
“He seems to be your favorite British statesman,” I interjected. This provided much laughter.
“At least,” Gandhi said, “I always know where
