Which of the following statements about the Unionist Party is/are corr

Which of the following statements about the Unionist Party is/are correct?

  • 1. It was a political party representing the interests of landholders in Punjab.
  • 2. It was opposed to the idea of the partition of India as India and Pakistan.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2022
Both statements about the Unionist Party are correct.
1. The Unionist Party was a dominant political party in pre-partition Punjab, representing the interests of various communities, including Hindu Jats, Muslims, and Sikhs, with a strong base among landholders and rural populations.
2. The party strongly opposed the idea of the partition of India based on religion, advocating for a united Punjab within a federal India. They believed in inter-communal cooperation for the progress of the province.
The Unionist Party was founded in 1923 and remained influential in Punjab politics until the partition of India in 1947. Prominent leaders included Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan and Sir Chhotu Ram. Their stance against the partition was rooted in the belief that it would harm the economic and social fabric of Punjab.