Singh Deo slams back at Masani

Summary

This Indian Express report dated 18 April 1973 records a public rebuttal by veteran Swatantra Party leader and former Orissa Chief Minister R. N. Singh Deo to M. R. Masani. Singh Deo criticises Masani’s remarks at the Swatantra Party convention in Madras, particularly Masani’s proposal that the party join hands with Biju Patnaik to form the Orissa Pragati Party. He argues that Masani’s “rigid and puritanical stand” has weakened the party and says conditions in Orissa cannot be judged from the standpoint of more prosperous and developed Maharashtra.

Singh Deo also attacks what he describes as the central leadership’s “perverse and suicidal attitude,” arguing that it has displaced sympathy for Mrs. Nandini Satpathy and would strengthen the Communist-led Congress Party and the Communist-led Congress Government at the Centre. He further criticises the leadership for issuing untimely and impolitic letters and statements, and says it was too late to object to the State election decision to join the Orissa United Praja Party. The clipping reports only Singh Deo’s response; it does not provide Masani’s original remarks in full or any reply from the other parties.

Key points

• R. N. Singh Deo rejects M. R. Masani’s criticism of the Orissa Swatantra Party.
• Singh Deo objects to Masani’s proposal to join hands with Biju Patnaik to form the Orissa Pragati Party.
• He argues that Masani’s rigid position has contributed to the party’s liquidation in Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan and elsewhere.
• He says Maharashtra’s relative prosperity makes it difficult for the central leadership to understand Orissa’s neglected and underdeveloped conditions.
• He claims the central leadership’s stance would strengthen the Communist-led Congress Party and Government.
• He criticises the leadership’s communications as untimely and impolitic and says its opposition to an electoral alliance came too late.