[Press Statement Released by Girish Munshi]

Summary

A single-page press statement dated 16 October 1974, issued on Maharashtra Swatantra Party letterhead from Sassoon Building, Bombay, and signed by Girish Munshi, General Secretary. Munshi reports the outcome of the party’s Executive Meeting held on 12 October 1974 in Bombay, at which members from Bombay City and other parts of Maharashtra welcomed the decision that the Swatantra Party, Maharashtra, would continue to exist as an organised political entity.

The statement records what those present described as an “evident sense of relief” that the figures who had attached to Swatantra “the odium of its being a Party of rich men and Maharajas” were no longer with it, leaving the Party as “a common man’s party, as it was intended to be by its founding fathers.” Members also welcomed the government’s recent measures against smugglers, while cautioning that these should not be exploited to boost the ruling party’s electoral fortunes, and extended their full support to the movement launched by Jayaprakash Narayan in Bihar.

Key points

• Press statement issued 16 October 1974 on Maharashtra Swatantra Party letterhead (Sassoon Building, Bombay) by General Secretary Girish Munshi.
• Reports the resolutions of the party’s Executive Meeting held 12 October 1974 in Bombay, attended by members from Bombay City and other parts of Maharashtra.
• Members welcomed the decision that the Swatantra Party, Maharashtra, would continue to exist as an organised body.
• Statement expresses relief that those who had lent Swatantra the reputation of being “a Party of rich men and Maharajas” are no longer with it, restoring its founders’ intention of a common man’s party.
• Welcomes government measures against smugglers but cautions that they should not be leveraged to boost the ruling party’s electoral popularity.
• Endorses and extends full support to Jayaprakash Narayan’s movement in Bihar.
• Document is a one-page cyclostyled release closing with Munshi’s signature and designation.