1939

• September : Maharaja's Prime Minister, Gopalaswamy Ayyangar - a Hindu bureaucrat from Madras - promulgates constitution providing not only for Maharaja's unrestricted veto over legislative assembly's enactments but also for any enactment by Maharaja himself to be considered as if made by assembly. Abdullah establishes understanding with Ayyangar that, in return for refraining from any active campaign for responsible government, he will be supported in his fight against his political opponents - former leaders of Muslim Conference. On his advice, National Conference members abstain from vote on bill abolishing discrimination against Muslims in arms licences, Abdullah cultivates closer relations with Congress leaders, particularly Jawaharlal Nehru, criticises Muslim League but later disclaims remarks.
• October: Special session of Muslim Conference decides to convert party into National Conference. Abbas endorses move on conditions that, inter alia, (a) it will not mean affiliation with Indian National Congress against Muslim League; (b) non- Muslims will participate in campaign for representative government; and (c) Conference will continue to seek end of discrimination against Muslims. Some prominent Hindu leaders, including Prem Nath Bazaz, join National Conference but Hindu masses keep aloof.