In February 1946, the British government annou- nced that a Cabinet Mission would be sent to India to resolve the constitutional impasse. It was widely speculated that a post-war settlement might lead India to early independence. Moreover, the results of the 1946 general elections made it clear that any future constitution talks would inevitably involve the issue of Pakistan. The election results marked a polarisation between the two contending parties-Congress and the Muslim League-with their conflicting election planks, for the former it was the immediate independence of Akhand (meaning undivided) India and, for the latter, Pakistan or partition of India. The claim of the Muslim League to be regarded as the only autho- ritative and representative body of the Indian Muslims was largely vindicated in the elections, with the excep- tion of the N. W. F. P capturing 423 (87-76%) out of a total of 482 Muslim seats. Meanwhile, in general and/p>