[Letter from SV Raju]

Summary

In this two-page letter dated 4 April 1977, S. V. Raju writes to N. Dandekar in a personal capacity about the impending dissolution of the Swatantra Party and the future of its office premises. Raju recalls that he and more than fifty others opposed the party’s earlier merger into the Bharatiya Lok Dal, but argues that the formation of the Janata Party now makes dissolution appropriate. He describes this as both a relief and the fulfilment of a pledge to C. Rajagopalachari to keep the “Old Guard” together until the party’s future became clearer.

The practical issue, Raju argues, is what will happen to the office acquired in 1959. He identifies two immediate risks—control passing to the Janata Party or the landlords reclaiming the premises—and urges Dandekar to secure a continuing organisational base. He proposes either creating an organisation devoted to service and constructive activities, to which the Swatantra Party could transfer its assets, or handing the premises to the Adult Education Institute. The postscript adds that either Dandekar or Minoo Masani would be suitable candidates for a forthcoming by-election in Rajkot.

Key points

• Raju states that the letter reflects his personal view and was not discussed with anyone else.
• He recalls opposition by more than fifty Swatantra Party members to Piloo Mody’s proposed merger with the Bharatiya Lok Dal in August 1974.
• He accepts that the formation of the Janata Party creates the moment for the remaining Swatantra Party organisation to dissolve.
• He sees the dissolution as eliminating a major disagreement while fulfilling his pledge to Rajaji to keep the party’s older leadership together.
• He focuses on the ownership and control of the party’s office premises, acquired around July 1959.
• He proposes transferring the party’s assets to a service organisation or giving the premises to the Adult Education Institute.
• He recommends either Minoo Masani or N. Dandekar as a possible candidate in the Rajkot by-election.