Dismissing the idea of Pakistan as Jinnah's 'mad dream', Sardar Patel reacted with indignation at the suggestion that the Congress might help Jinnah in realising those dreams. To him the idea of seeing India divided was unacceptable.

However, once it dawned upon him that Partition was going to be a reality, he came around and decided to use his influence to see that the Congress accepted it. He did not wish the nation to break out in a civil war.