CONSTITUTION

Summary

The Swatantra Party Constitution establishes the party’s name, objective, headquarters, membership rules, subscription structure, and organisational hierarchy. It defines primary units for legislative constituencies, district committees, State or Regional Councils, a General Council of up to 250 members, and a National Executive. Elections within these bodies are generally conducted through direct or proportional representation, with detailed provisions for office-bearers, membership allocation, and co-option.

The document also sets out the party’s institutional calendar and procedures. It provides for elections at regular intervals, an annual National Convention, State or Regional Conventions, rule-making powers, constitutional amendments, and transitional arrangements. The constitution presents the Swatantra Party as a formally decentralised political organisation whose central and regional bodies coordinate policy, representation, finances, and administration.

Key points

• The party is named the Swatantra Party and is committed to implementing principles adopted at the Bombay Convention of 1–2 August 1959.
• Membership is open to persons over 21 who subscribe to the party’s principles and pay the prescribed annual fee.
• Membership subscriptions are distributed among constituency, district, State or Region, and central party bodies, with annual auditing required.
• The constitution creates primary constituency units, District Committees, State or Regional Councils, a General Council, and a National Executive.
• Representation in party bodies is organised through elections and proportional representation, with rules for allocating members among States or Regions.
• The constitution provides for co-option, fixed election cycles, annual conventions, rule-making powers, amendments, and transitional arrangements.