[Letter to Srikumar]

Summary

This 7 November 1974 letter from S. V. Raju to Srikumar addresses the internal condition of the Swatantra Party after the so-called National Convention. Raju encloses lists of National Executive and General Council members he believes remain aligned with C. Rajagopalachari (“Rajaji”) and the Party, as well as people who have written expressing an interest in continuing party work. He also refers to Girish Munshi’s reaffirmation that the Maharashtra Swatantra Party would continue, and explains that he is now available only by telephone after losing his residential connection. In the rendered pages, Raju presents the Maharashtra unit as organizationally weakened: membership enrolment is poor, activities are minimal, and funds are insufficient even for office operations. He is sharply critical of the Bombay BLD, which he says is attempting to absorb Swatantra’s active workers and premises. The attached membership lists identify possible supporters across several states, while the final page proposes a General Council meeting to consider disciplinary action against members who joined another party, fill resulting vacancies, challenge the National Convention’s constitutional validity, and set the date and venue of the next National Convention. The pages do not establish what happened after these proposals.

Key points

• Raju responds to Srikumar’s letters and supplies lists of party members believed still aligned with Rajaji and Swatantra. He reports that the Maharashtra Swatantra Party’s executive committee has been revitalised, but that membership, activities, and finances remain weak. He accuses the Bombay BLD of waiting to take over Swatantra’s active workers and office premises. The attached lists record possible supporters and correspondents from multiple Indian states. Raju proposes a General Council meeting to address defections, vacancies, the constitutional status of the National Convention, and the next convention’s arrangements.
• The document records a moment of organizational dispute and attempted party reconstitution in late 1974.