The precursor of the Justice Party was the Madras United League which was renamed as the Madras Dravidian Association in November 1912. Dr. C. Natesa Mudaliar played a significant role in nurturing this organization. In 1916 the South Indian Liberal Federation was formed for the purpose of ‘promoting the political interests of non-Brahmin caste Hindus’. The leaders who stood behind the formation of this organization were Pitti Theagaraya Chetti, Dr. T.M. Nair, P. Ramarayaninger (Raja of Panagal) and Dr. C. Natesa Mudaliar. The South Indian Liberal Federation published an English newspaper called Justice and hence this organization came to be called the Justice Party. The other news paper which supported the Justice Party was Dravidan (in Tamil). Besides, the Justice Party organized a series of public meetings, conferences, lectures to popularise Non-Brahmin movement. Similarly, the Justice Party formed District Associations, the Non-Brahmin Youth League.
Justice Party Rule
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| Pitti Theagaraya Chetti |
The Justice Party came to power following the election of 1920 held according to the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms. The Justice Party captured sixty three out of ninety eight elected seats in the Madras Legislative Council. As Pitti Theagaraya Chetti declined to lead the ministry, A. Subbarayalu Reddiar formed the ministry. In the election of 1923 it fought against the Swarajya Party. The Justice Party again won the majority and the ministry was formed by Raja of Panagal. In the election of 1926 a divided Justice Party faced the opposition of a united Congress. Therefore, an independent, A. Subbarayan with the help of the Swarajya Party formed the ministry. In 1930 when the next election was held the Justice Party won the majority and formed a ministry with B. Muniswami Naidu as the leader. In 1932 Raja of Bobbili replaced him as Prime Minister of the Presidency. In 1934 Raja of Bobbili formed his second ministry, which continued in power until the election of 1937.
