Meeting of Organising Committee

Summary

This two-page record documents a meeting of the Swatantra Party Organising Committee of Greater Bombay held on 14 November 1960. Chaired by Murarji J. Vaidya, the committee reviewed routine minutes and organisational matters, including assistance for workers seeking police permission to hold open-air meetings, the refusal of permission for a loudspeaker van advertising a Chowpatty meeting, arrangements for a press lunch, and an increase in the number of handbills to be printed.

The committee also discussed support for up to 40 independent candidates in the forthcoming municipal elections, shared office expenses, staffing changes, and leave for an office peon. The record presents the party as combining electoral organisation with practical advocacy concerning public-meeting permissions and the administration of its Bombay office.

Key points

• The meeting took place at the Swatantra Party office on Monday, 14 November 1960, at 6.15 p.m.
• The committee agreed that the office should assist enthusiastic workers facing obstacles in obtaining permission for meetings in open spaces.
• A police refusal to permit a loudspeaker van for a Chowpatty meeting was referred for discussion with the Chief Minister.
• The committee increased the planned printing of handbills by 10,000.
• For the municipal elections, members were urged to support as many as 40 independent candidates as individuals rather than as party nominees.
• The committee considered reimbursement of shared Central Office expenses and approved staffing and leave arrangements.