Who suggested, shortly before his death, that the Indian National Congress should be dissolved as a political organisation and turned into a 'Lok Sevak Sangh'?

In a draft constitution written shortly before his assassination (often called his "last will and testament"), Gandhi suggested that the Indian National Congress should be dissolved as a political party and turned into a "Lok Sevak Sangh" (association of servants of the people).

Gandhi's reasoning:

• Gandhi felt that the Congress had achieved its main goal, political independence, and that it should not become a body for seeking power.
• He wrote that the Congress, in its present shape and form, had "outlived its use" as a propaganda vehicle and parliamentary machine.
• He felt that India still had to attain social, moral and economic independence in its seven hundred thousand villages.
• He believed that the struggle for power among political parties would harm the country.

The proposed Lok Sevak Sangh:

• It was to be made up of panchayats of villages, with workers devoted to constructive work.
• Its members were to be khadi-wearing, teetotal workers who would serve the villagers.
• It would work for village industries, education, health, sanitation, and the removal of untouchability.
• The draft was written in the last days of Gandhi's life, and was published after his death.

What happened:

• The Congress did not accept this suggestion, and continued as a political party.
• Some of Gandhi's followers formed the Sarva Seva Sangh (1948), to carry on his constructive work.

Gandhi's constructive programme:

• Gandhi gave great importance to constructive work, such as the spread of khadi, village industries, basic education, Hindu-Muslim unity, the removal of untouchability, and prohibition.
• He had set up organisations such as the All India Spinners' Association (1925) and the All India Village Industries Association (1934).

Why not the other options?

• ✗Nehru, Vinoba Bhave and Jayaprakash Narayan did not make this suggestion; Vinoba later led the Bhoodan movement.