Minutes of the Emergency Special Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Swatantra Party, Maharashtra on 29.1.1974 at Bombay.

Summary

These two pages record the emergency special meeting of the Executive Committee of the Swatantra Party, Maharashtra, held in Bombay on 29 January 1974. Chaired by Madhu Mehta, the meeting discussed the law-and-order situation following Shiv Sena demonstrations at Flora Fountain on 25 January and a subsequent march on 28 January. The minutes list ten attendees, including Girish Munshi, F. C. Cama, Babubhai H. Ginwala, K. B. Magodia, Dhiraj Shah, A. J. Pimenta, M. S. Pirzada, K. H. Subramaniam, and N. K. Jagtap by invitation.

The unanimously adopted resolution accuses Congress (R) and the Maharashtra Government of diverting public attention from policy failures, relying on the Shiv Sena to restore their prestige, and responding to opposition demonstrations with political vendetta and repression. It refers to deaths and injuries during the Flora Fountain violence, argues that the government’s impartiality and fairness have been discredited, and calls for the Maharashtra Government to resign. The second page records plans for a press conference before 14 February, distribution of party papers, and the meeting’s conclusion with a vote of thanks.

Key points

• The Executive Committee met in Bombay on 29 January 1974 to consider the law-and-order situation.
• The discussion followed Shiv Sena activity at Flora Fountain on 25 January and a march on 28 January.
• The resolution blames Congress (R) and the Maharashtra Government for relying on the Shiv Sena amid public discontent.
• It alleges that the government abandoned its responsibility to maintain law and order during the violence.
• The resolution claims that political repression and partiality had undermined public confidence in the Maharashtra Government.
• The committee calls for the Maharashtra Government to resign immediately.
• Members planned a press conference before 14 February and arrangements to circulate party papers.