Letter to Mr C Rajagopalachari

Summary

In this letter dated October 20, 1959, K. M. Munshi updates C. Rajagopalachari on efforts to organise the newly formed Swatantra Party. He describes coalition-building in Delhi, including contacts with Congress figures and Muslim leaders, and reports plans to expand membership to between 25,000 and 30,000 by late November or December. He also discusses party activity in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, including municipal-election candidates and local conventions.

Munshi stresses the need for stronger organisational infrastructure, particularly a regular central office in Bangalore staffed by competent paid workers. He attributes the party’s promising public image partly to repeated references by Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, which he says indirectly promote Swatantra by suggesting that it is becoming a significant force. The letter closes with plans to visit Ahmedabad and Gujarat, where floods and the decision to divide the bilingual state have affected political progress.

Key points

• Munshi reports progress in building a Swatantra Party organisation across Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Delhi organisers include Smt. Sanghal, Vasantrao Oke, Jan Sangh, and three Muslim leaders who joined contacts made in Bombay.
• The party aims to reach approximately 25,000–30,000 members by the end of November or in December.
• Uttar Pradesh activity centres on municipal elections, with about 30 candidates being fielded as independents.
• Munshi identifies the need for a permanent central office in Bangalore with competent paid staff.
• He argues that references to Swatantra by Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi have helped create an impression of party strength.
• The letter records concerns about financing, local organisational expenses, Gujarat’s political progress, floods, and the division of the bilingual state.