Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/189

 On the morning of the 26th December, Mr. Tilak and the other NationaHst leaders went to Babu Surendra- Nath Banerjea at his residence, and informed him that the NationaHst opposition to the election of the President would be withdrawn if (i) the Nationalist Party were assured that the Status quo would not be disturbed, and (2) if some graceful allusion was made by any one of the speakers on the resolution about the election of the President, to the desire of the public to have Lala Lajpat Rai in the chair. Mr. Bannerjea agreed to the latter proposal as he said he was himself to second the resolution ; while as regards the first, though he gave an assurance foi himself and Bengal, he asked Mr. Tilak to see Mr. Gokhale or Mr. Malvi, the Chairman of the Reception Committee. A volunteer was accordingly sent in a carriage to invite Mr. Malvi to Mr. Ban- erjea's residence, but the volunteer brought a reply that Mr. Malvi had no time to come as he was engaged in religious practices. Mr. Tilak then returned to his Camp to take his meals as it was already about 11 a.m.; but on returning to the Congress Pandal one hour later, he made persistent attempts to get access to Mr. Malvi but could not find him anywhere. A little before 2-30 P.M., a word was brought to Mr. Tilak that Mr. Malvi was in the President's tent, and Mr. Tilak sent a message to him from an adjoining tent asking for a short interview. Mr. Malvi replied that he could not see Mr. Tilak as the Presidential procession was being formed.

These facts will explain the position of the two par- lies, when the Congress commenced its proceedings on Thursday the 26th December, at 2-30 P.M. No assur-