The Swaraj Party was formed in 1923 by Motilal Nehru and Chittaranjan Das, prominent leaders of the Indian National Congress. It emerged as a reaction to the suspension of the non-cooperation movement by Mahatma Gandhi following the Chauri Chaura incident. In the 1923 Indian general election, Swarajist members were elected to the councils. At a meeting on December 30, 1923, the general council of the party demanded the establishment of an independent government for India. With the death of Chittaranjan Das and the return of Motilal Nehru to the Indian National Congress, the party was weakened.