[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

This one-page administrative letter, dated 9 January 1975 and typed on Swatantra Party National Headquarters letterhead (26, Halls Road, Egmore, Madras-600 008), is written by V. S. Srikumar, Joint Secretary, to M. R. Masani at 148 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Bombay-1. Srikumar proposes holding the next meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee on the 22nd of the month at a suitable Bombay venue, subject to Masani’s convenience and that of the other members, with the choice of location left to Masani or Mr. Girish Munshi.

The rationale for Bombay is explicit: Girish Munshi had told the headquarters that Jayaprakash Narayan would be in the Bombay region between 21 and 26 January 1975, and Masani was likely to be busy assisting him. Holding the Executive Committee meeting in Bombay would spare Masani travel and, more strategically, let the party’s top leaders meet Narayan and “offer him all cooperation in the movement he is conducting in Bihar and elswehere” [sic]. Srikumar notes that Girish Munshi has already written to Narayan seeking an appointment during his Bombay stay and asks Masani to indicate whether he approves the arrangement.

Key points

• Letter dated 9 January 1975 from V. S. Srikumar, Jt. Secretary of the Swatantra Party National Headquarters in Madras, to M. R. Masani in Bombay.
• Proposes the next Swatantra Party National Executive Committee meeting on the 22nd of the month, to be held in Bombay at a venue Masani or Girish Munshi may suggest.
• Choice of Bombay is driven by two facts: Jayaprakash Narayan is expected in the Bombay region between 21 and 26 January 1975, and Masani is likely to be engaged in assisting him.
• Holding the meeting in Bombay is framed as an opportunity for the party’s top leaders to meet Jayaprakash Narayan and pledge cooperation in his Bihar movement and elsewhere.
• Girish Munshi has already written to Narayan requesting an appointment during his Bombay stay so that Swatantra leaders may call on him.
• Srikumar asks Masani to confirm whether he approves the arrangement, and closes with the signature of the Joint Secretary.