Letter to Raja

Summary

A brief typed letter dated 5 February 1963 from M. R. Masani in Bombay to C. Rajagopalachari (“Rajaji”) in Madras. Masani thanks Rajaji for a handwritten letter of 1 February and reflects with satisfaction on the outcome of the last session of Parliament — “particularly the division” — jointly claiming “a little credit” for the result.

Masani then registers dismay at press reports of Jaya Prakash Narayan’s recent speeches at two separate places in Gujarat. He tells Rajaji that he has written to JP directly, arguing that JP’s “constant reference to this difference of opinion with us” ends up helping “the Communists and their friends” — a note that treats intra-liberal quarrels as a strategic gift to the Left.

The rest of the letter is logistical. Masani informs Rajaji that the public meeting he is to address on the evening of Sunday the 10th will be held at Shivaji Park in Dadar — flagged as “a new development on the part of our Bombay Party.” The audience is expected to be predominantly middle-class Maharashtrian, Gujarati and South Indian, and Masani (with Piloo Mody) urges Rajaji to “make a major policy speech and make the most of the occasion.” The platform has been kept deliberately spare: apart from Dandekar in the chair, the only other speakers will be Ranga and Gayatri Devi.

Key points

• Personal note from Masani (Bombay) to Rajaji (Madras) dated 5 February 1963, acknowledging a handwritten letter of 1 February.
• Both men take quiet satisfaction in the “net result” of the last Parliament session, and particularly “the division”.
• Masani has written to Jaya Prakash Narayan objecting to JP’s public airing, in Gujarat speeches, of his differences with them — arguing it aids the Communists.
• A public meeting for Rajaji is scheduled for the evening of Sunday the 10th at Shivaji Park, Dadar — described as “a new development on the part of our Bombay Party.”
• The audience is projected as predominantly middle-class Maharashtrian, Gujarati and South Indian.
• Masani and Piloo Mody want Rajaji to use the platform for “a major policy speech.”
• The programme is kept minimal: Dandekar chairs, and the only other speakers are Ranga and Gayatri Devi.