The Gazetteers Department

Within a few years alter the passing away of Lokatnanya Tilak, Gandhiji appeared on the political horizon of India as a leader of the masses. The new leadership of Candrapur looked upon Gandhiji as their saviour. His non-orthodoxy and simplicity had tremendous appeal for the masses.

In 1942, the session of the Hindu Mahasabha was held at Candrapur under the presidentship of Sir Gokulchand Narang. The session was opened by Dr. Munje, a strong supporter and leader of the Sabha from the Vidarbha area. The Yuvak Parisad too had its session at Candrapur when Annasaheb Bhopatkar of Poona presided. After this the position and hold of the Hindu Mahasabha has continuously dwindled in Candrapur.

Candrapur has also been a strong centre of the Rastriya Svayamsevak Sangha. In the years following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi the Sangha was legally banned. With a view to forcing the Government to lift the ban as it was unjust, the Sangha volunteers offered satyagraha throughout India. About 250 volunteers from Canda district courted arrest. Balvantrao Deshmukh was imprisoned for about 41 days because of his association with the R.S.S.

Among other parties, Samajvadi Paksa was founded in Candrapur by Bhagwati Prasad Mishra. Later it was merged with the Praja Samajvadi.

In the Gandhian era after 1930, the Congress gained a good hold over the masses as new leaders from the rank and file joined it in large numbers. In Candrapur Marotrao Kannamwar was making his mark in politics since 1920. He stepped into politics by joining the party of Balgovind. In 1929 he founded the Gandhi Seva Mandal. In the 1930-32 movement he courted arrest. By his steady work and devotion to the party he soon merited the attention of the higher authorities in the Congress Party. Between Tilak and Gandhi it can he said that Kannamvvar liked Tilak hut loved Gandhi.

In 1939 he was the secretary of the Nagpur Provincial Congress Committee. In the Quit India agitation of 1942, he offered satyagraha and was imprisoned.

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