Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/320

300. He differed from Mahatma Gandhi's opinion that the Councils are a snare and that there is an insidious poison which invariably affects its members. Mr. Tilak admitted that this was true when we were in a substantial minority in the Councils but he held that no danger need be anticipated when the Nationalists would enter the Councils not necessarily to co-operate. The most aggressive and effective form of non-co-operation would be non-co-operation within the Councils and on this he had set his heart.

That is why at the Sholapur Provincial Conference (April 2nd, 3rd and 4th), he laboured to carry a resolution which called upon the Congress Committees in particular and the public in general to "accept the lead given by the Amritsar Congress, in the matter of the working of the Reforms Act, and support, at the ensuing Council elections, the candidature of persons whose allegiance to the Congress is beyond all question." The bewitching cry of "elect the best men" was raised by the minority. Mr. Tilak agreed; but explained that the men to be elected must be best for the purpose in view, namely the working of the Reforms Act so as to attain full Responsible Government within the shortest time possible. He was in no sympathy with best men who would merely like to work the act without this particular end in view. If we really went in for best men, why, in the bureaucratic fold, many capable persons might be found; but they were not wanted, nor thəthe [sic] Moderates, if they did not respect the Amritsar Resolution. This was too much for the Moderates, who had tried their best to attend the Conference in large numbers, though in trying to secure numbers, they had to