Letter to Mr S Y Krishnaswamy

Summary

This 27 September 1959 letter from Bhinai House, Ajmer, reports on the early organisation of the Swatantra Party in Rajasthan. Kalyan Singh tells S. Y. Krishnaswamy that an office has been established at Ajmer, that public response is encouraging, and that the principal obstacle is inadequate funding. He reports receiving Rs. 2,500 from the central organisation and seeking an earmarked monthly allocation of Rs. 2,000 for at least six months, with local fundraising and audited accounts promised.

The enclosed progress report describes the creation of an organising team after the Bombay Convention, outreach by printed postcards, and efforts to recruit independent legislators and members of the Ram Rajya Parishad. Meetings in Jaipur, Ajmer, and elsewhere led to the formation of a 21-member Rajasthan ad-hoc committee and the division of the state into six organisational regions: Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota, and Bikaner. The report also records plans for urban and rural bodies, an Ajmer City committee, regional bank accounts, and a conference of convenors. It closes by criticising the Central Office for failing to provide party literature and enrolment forms promptly, and requests clearer instructions and tour programmes from the centre.

Key points

• The Rajasthan Branch office was located at Bhinai House, Ajmer, and future correspondence was to be directed there.
• The organisers describe public response and demand for enrolment forms as encouraging, while identifying lack of funds and poor communications as major difficulties.
• Kalyan Singh sought Rs. 2,000 per month for at least six months in addition to a previously received cheque for Rs. 2,500.
• The report describes outreach through printed postcards sent across Rajasthan and recruitment efforts among independent legislators and Ram Rajya Parishad members.
• A 21-member Rajasthan ad-hoc committee was formed, with Kalyan Singh as chief organiser and Maharaj Hukamsinghji as organising secretary and treasurer.
• Rajasthan was divided into six regions, each with a convenor responsible for building organisational teams.
• An Ajmer City ad-hoc committee and enrolment drive were initiated, alongside plans for urban and rural organising bodies.
• The report asks the Central Office to supply literature, enrolment forms, organisational instructions, and party leaders’ tour programmes.