Letter to Mr Homi Modi

Summary

Dated 9 August 1959 and written from Madras, this letter from S. V. Krishnaswamy to Homi Modi reports on preliminary administrative arrangements for the Swatantra Party. After discussions in Bangalore with V. P. Menon, Mr. Narayana Reddy, and Sarangapani Mudaliar, Krishnaswamy says the group concluded that the party must operate temporarily until its constitution is ratified at an All India Convention and a final decision is taken.

The letter addresses the party’s interim financial and organisational arrangements. It notes that the bank authorities require a constitution and rules before opening an account in the party’s name, while proposing that the central account remain in one place for the time being. Krishnaswamy lists three committees—the Manifesto Committee, the Committee for Organisation and Membership, and the Constitution Committee—and asks Modi, as Treasurer and ex-officio member, to attend their meetings in Bombay on 22 and 23 August. The proposals are explicitly described as tentative and subject to ratification by the organising committee.

Key points

• The letter records preliminary administrative discussions concerning the newly formed Swatantra Party.
• Temporary arrangements are proposed pending ratification of the party constitution and rules.
• Bank authorities are said to require a constitution and rules before opening an account in the party’s name.
• The letter proposes continuing to maintain the central account in one place.
• Three Bombay committees are identified: Manifesto; Organisation and Membership; and Constitution.
• Homi Modi is asked to attend the committees as Treasurer and ex-officio member on 22 and 23 August.
• The arrangements are presented as tentative proposals for approval by the organising committee.