Letter to Mr S Y Krishnaswamy

Summary

This typed carbon-copy letter, dated 28 August 1959 and headed as being from Shri Hukam Singh, discusses the organisation of the Swatantra Party in Rajasthan. The writer asks for membership forms and the Party’s Statement of Principles so that they can be translated and printed in Hindi, reports a forthcoming meeting in Jaipur to settle preliminary organisational matters, and proposes branches in nearly every district of the state. The letter also notes efforts to recruit members from across Rajasthan and to form a broad-based party.

The correspondent requests at least 5,000 for initial organising expenses, arguing that funds are needed to reach the masses and enrol members before the party’s Rajasthan convention. The letter reports that the Progressive Party in the Rajasthan Assembly has dissolved and that its leader, together with four others, has joined the Swatantra Party; it also mentions negotiations with the All India Ram Rajya Parishad. The writer anticipates that, if eighteen Assembly members join, Swatantra could become the first official opposition in Rajasthan and might eventually form the government. The page is signed “S.Y.Krishnaswamy,” although the document does not clearly establish whether this is the recipient or a notation associated with the copy.

Key points

• The letter requests membership forms and the Swatantra Party’s Statement of Principles for Hindi translation and printing.
• A Jaipur meeting on 30 August 1959 is planned to settle the party’s preliminary organisation in Rajasthan.
• The writer proposes opening Swatantra Party branches in almost every district of Rajasthan.
• At least 5,000 is requested for initial expenses, including public outreach and membership enrolment.
• The letter reports the dissolution of the Progressive Party in the Rajasthan Assembly and the defection of its leader and four others to Swatantra.
• Negotiations are under way with the All India Ram Rajya Parishad, with the aim of creating an official opposition and potentially forming a government in Rajasthan.