Political leaders sharply differed over separate electorates, driven by conflicting national visions. Minority groups, including the Muslim League and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar for Dalits, strongly advocated for them. They feared that without separate electorates, the Hindu majority would suppress their interests, leaving them politically powerless. They sought guaranteed representation and protection. Conversely, Indian National Congress leaders, notably Mahatma Gandhi, vehemently opposed this. They argued separate electorates would fragment Indian society, hinder national unity, and serve British 'divide and rule' policies. Gandhi particularly feared permanent communal segregation. The Poona Pact, for instance, provided a compromise for Dalits, offering reserved seats in joint electorates to ensure representation while safeguarding national cohesion, demonstrating the complex struggle between identity and unity.