[Letter to SV Raju]

Summary

In this 18 March 1974 letter, G.M. Gopal Krishna replies to S.V. Raju about his resignation from the Swatantra Party. He says Piloo Mody has asked him to continue, but that he has placed conditions before the local president because the party needs a “thorough overhaul.” He warns that retaining “old attitudes” and reusing discredited people will prevent the party from governing India effectively.

The letter also encloses a reply from N. K. Ganapaiah and relays a telegram concerning Justice K. S. Hegde’s participation in the party’s Farmer Conference, scheduled for 14 April. Gopal Krishna describes the party as “lying on the bed of nails,” suggesting that its difficulties are self-inflicted rather than the result of external opposition. The page provides a snapshot of internal organisational conflict and reform debate within the Swatantra Party shortly before its dissolution in 1974.

Key points

• G.M. Gopal Krishna responds to S.V. Raju’s letter of 14 March 1974 concerning his resignation.
• Piloo Mody has asked Gopal Krishna to continue in the party.
• Gopal Krishna conditions his continued participation on a thorough overhaul of the Swatantra Party.
• The letter criticises the retention of old party attitudes and personnel.
• An embedded telegram asks Justice K. S. Hegde to inaugurate the Farmer Conference on 14 April.
• The correspondence portrays the party’s organisational crisis as substantially self-inflicted.