[Letter to SV Raju]

Summary

This two-page letter, dated 4 November 1976 and written by V. S. S. Kumar in his capacity as Joint Secretary of the Swatantra Party, is addressed to S. V. Raju. Kumar thanks Raju for sending a photostat report from The Statesman on the party’s special conference concerning the 44th Constitutional Amendment Bill. He argues that the conference’s clear opposition to the amendment had attracted attention from the Prime Minister and had provoked Gopal Krishna Gokhale to refer to the party.

Key points

• The letter concerns the Swatantra Party’s special conference on the 44th Constitutional Amendment Bill.
• Kumar identifies The Statesman, Indian Express, and Dinamani as among the few Indian newspapers he considers significant.
• He notes that the Prime Minister took notice of the party’s definite position on the amendment.
• Harihar Patel is said to have proposed producing literature on the amendment for wide distribution.
• Kumar asks Raju to consult Minoo Masani about helping prepare a pamphlet.
• The proposed pamphlet is intended to educate the public while strongly challenging the ruling party’s position.