Resolution on strengthening the Swatantra Party

Summary

This five-page English document records eight resolutions adopted by a combined meeting of the Swatantra Party’s Executive Committee, General Council, legislators, and district and constituency office-bearers in Tamil Nadu. The first resolution calls for immediate grassroots strengthening: completing constituency committees by 31 December 1974, undertaking intensive organisational and propaganda work in at least 50 constituencies, and forming party cells in villages and municipalities. It also establishes a high-power committee under G. Swaminathan to prepare recommendations for strengthening the party.

The resolutions defend the Swatantra Party against claims by former party members and leaders who had joined the B.L.D., arguing that the party’s constitution did not permit dissolution or merger. They affirm support for the reintroduction of prohibition and abolition of horse-racing and betting in Tamil Nadu, while invoking C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) as the party’s exemplary statesman. The document then attributes inflation and economic distress primarily to the ruling Congress’s policies, criticises controls, taxes, compulsory deposits, dividend restrictions, and increases in railway fares, and calls for greater agricultural and industrial production through incentives and the removal of unnecessary controls.

The final resolutions acknowledge that the Tamil Nadu Government shares responsibility for high rice prices, oppose a proposed levy on agriculturists, and recommend obtaining foodgrain for public distribution through mills and wholesalers. They highlight severe shortages of drinking water, especially in Madras, urge accelerated implementation of the Veeranam Scheme, and call for priority attention to villages and small towns. The document concludes by endorsing independent Swatantra candidates in forthcoming municipal elections, seeking coordination with party leaders in other states, and proposing a national convention no later than October 1974.

Key points

• The meeting demands immediate grassroots organisational expansion of the Swatantra Party in Tamil Nadu.
• A high-power committee chaired by G. Swaminathan is tasked with preparing a party-strengthening programme.
• The resolutions reject claims that the Swatantra Party had been dissolved or merged into the B.L.D.
• The document supports prohibition and the abolition of horse-racing and betting in Tamil Nadu.
• It blames Congress economic policies for inflation, shortages, taxation, and the distress of poorer sections.
• It advocates increased agricultural and industrial production, fewer production controls, and incentives for private and corporate enterprise.
• It addresses rice prices, foodgrain procurement, drinking-water scarcity, and the Veeranam Scheme.
• It calls for independent municipal election contests and a national Swatantra Party convention by October 1974.