The Unionist Party’s prominent Muslims were key to avoiding polarization in the province, but until the 1946 elections the Punjab Congress was opposed to approaching the Unionists. In opting to fight both the League and the Unionists, the Punjab Congress had taken on one foe too many. In the end, cooperation from the Raj too was necessary for resolving the tension between the Congress’s twin goals, freedom and unity. This cooperation was not forthcoming. The Congress’s nationwide stirs, including Quit India, had induced in the Empire a wish to hurt rather than assist the Congress.
