Let us fight for the whole of our ideal. Let us start with this that
every cultivator here in this country has got the capacity to judge as
to who his representative is going to be. Let us start with this that
we can if we only try, if we will only shake off our apathy, do the
work of local self-government without the intervention of Government
officials. Let us think of this that we are in a position to so form
our Legislative Councils, by sending Proper representatives there, that
they will carry out our mandate, that they will carry out our ideal and
they would elect such an executive that they will do the work which the
country requires. Indicate in our scheme how the Provincial Governments
will have to be connected with a Central Government. But so far as
provincial autonomy is concerned, so far as the different departments
of the Executive Government in Bengal are concerned, I should not
hesitate to ask for the whole of those powers being transferred to the
people of Bengal. Naturally, the Indian Government will retain some
powers and I admit it is right that they should retain some powers
now at this stage for the task of uniting the different provinces in
imperial matters for the purpose of directing the foreign policy and
military affairs of the country. But I insist upon you, I implore you,
that whatever scheme you may frame, you will not lose sight of the idea
that we are capable of governing Bengal, we are capable of carrying on
the work which the Executive Council in Bengal does.