The Anti-Separation League was a political alliance in Burma.
Anti-Separation League | |
|---|---|
| Ideology | Unionism |
History
editThe alliance was formed in July 1932 by parties that were not in favour of Burma being separated from British Raj in order to contest the 1932 general elections,[1] as the British government had indicated that it would take the outcome of the elections as an indication of Burmese opinion.[2]
The alliance included the main factions of the General Council of Burmese Associations and the former Home Rule Party and Swaraj Party factions of the Nationalist Party.[3] Unlike its poorly-funded opponent, the Separation League, the Anti-Separation League was backed by Indian commercial interests concerned by the prospect of separation. The alliance was also backed by Buddhist monks,[1] who the Separation League sought to ban from political involvement.[2]
The League soon split into two groups; the Chit Hlaing faction led by Chit Hlaing, U Myat Tha Dun and U Paw Tun and the Ba Maw faction led by Ba Maw, Kyaw Myint and Ramree U Maung Maung.[1] In the elections the League won 42 seats, defeating the Separationists. However, when the Legislative Council met, the alliance refused to support a motion calling for Burma to remain part of India.[1]