[Letter to Mr Homi Modi]

Summary

This two-page letter from S.Y. Krishnaswamy to Sir Homi P. Modi, dated October 3, 1959, reports on the Swatantra Party’s finances and early organisational arrangements. Krishnaswamy states that the annual budget for all of India was set at Rs. 1,80,000, with Bombay expected to raise Rs. 1,00,000 in the first year. He explains that provincial organisations were expected to become financially self-sufficient and contribute to the Centre in later years, while noting that Madras and Mysore had already collected enough to support themselves and that Rajaji planned to begin fundraising in Madras.

The letter also discusses the need for a strong Central Secretariat, the proposed location of the party’s headquarters, and the division of responsibilities among the Central Organising Committee, the All India Council, the Forms and Authorities Committee, the Manifesto Committee, and the Constitution Committee. Krishnaswamy supports locating the headquarters in Madras, particularly because Minoo Masani would be travelling extensively and because much of the Secretariat’s existing work was already being conducted there. He mentions C. Rajagopalachari (“Rajaji”), Minoo Masani, and Basant Singh in connection with appointments, and concludes by noting that he was temporarily occupied in Trivandrum preparing a report on agriculture in Kerala.

Key points

• The letter sets out a Swatantra Party budget of Rs. 1,80,000 for India, including a first-year Bombay fundraising target of Rs. 1,00,000.
• Provincial organisations were expected to become self-supporting and eventually contribute financially to the central organisation.
• Madras and Mysore were described as financially self-sufficient, while Bombay, West Bengal, and possibly Delhi were expected to achieve similar status.
• Krishnaswamy argues for a strong Central Secretariat and recommends Madras as the party’s headquarters.
• The letter distinguishes between several proposed party bodies, including the All India Council, Central Organising Committee, Manifesto Committee, and Constitution Committee.
• C. Rajagopalachari is consulted on organisational decisions, including possible appointments of Minoo Masani and a Joint Secretary.
• Krishnaswamy records that he was working in Trivandrum on a report concerning agriculture in Kerala.