[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

A one-page typed letter from Dr. H. U. Bhambhani in Rajkot to Minoo Masani, dated 1 March 1971, sent immediately after the general election. Bhambhani writes to unburden himself about what he calls the ‘sad state of affairs’ before and on polling day, alleging that Masani was betrayed by the three men he had placed in charge of the local campaign — ‘M/s Kalyani, Ratibhai and Chhotubhai’ — in whom he had reposed his ‘utmost trust’.

Bhambhani’s charge is that these three ran the election machinery in a ‘selfcentered and monopolistic’ manner, humiliated the sincere and honorary workers of the party, ignored healthy suggestions, and thereby put down ‘a noble man’ like Masani. He frames the handling as ‘arrogant and deceitful’, arguing that the trio hoarded power to conceal their own mishandling and turned the campaign into a ‘farce’. He nevertheless assures Masani that the work was done, on the campaign and on polling day itself, with due regard to the party’s interest and to Masani personally.

The writer notes that he is ‘risking the displeasure of these persons’ by writing at all, promises a fuller letter with the full facts, and closes by saying he did all he could ‘single handed’ and prays for Masani’s success. The letter is marked ‘Personal’ at the top left.

Key points

• Private post-election letter from Dr. H. U. Bhambhani (Rajkot) to Minoo Masani, dated 1 March 1971, marked ‘Personal’.
• Alleges that Masani was betrayed by a ‘Trio-in-charge’ of the local campaign — Kalyani, Ratibhai, and Chhotubhai — in whom Masani had placed his utmost trust.
• Characterises the trio’s management of the election machinery as ‘selfcentered and monopolistic’, and as having humiliated honorary, sincere party workers.
• Describes the handling of the campaign as ‘arrogant and deceitful’, accusing the three of hoarding power to conceal mishandling and of turning the campaign into a ‘farce’.
• Insists that despite the humiliation, the polling-day work was still carried out with due regard to the party’s interest and to Masani personally.
• Bhambhani says he acted ‘single handed’ throughout, that none of his ‘healthy suggestions’ were considered, and promises a fuller letter of facts later.