again, in the round table conferences in 1930-32, the concept of separate electorates for the untouchables (sc/st) was raised by dr. b. r. ambedkar, as a way to ensure sufficient representation for the minority sc/st communities, in government. this provision was strongly opposed by gandhi on the grounds that the move would disintegrate hindu society. if the sc/st communities were given a separate electorate, then certain constituencies would have been reserved for them, and only the people belonging to sc/st communities would have been able to vote for the candidates contesting those seats, thus alienating the rest of the hindus. finally, a compromise was reached with ambedkar and gandhi with the poona pact in which the parties agreed that certain constituencies would be reserved for the sc/st communities, where the people belonging to sc/st communities could elect 4 candidates per constituency who would then be candidates for election by the joint electorate.