NOTICE

Summary

This three-page Swatantra Party office record combines a Bombay notice dated 28 December 1959 with minutes of the Greater Bombay Organising Committee meeting held on 2 December 1959. The notice, signed by honorary secretary D. Lynn, calls an Organising Committee meeting for 8 January 1960 at the Party office. The minutes record attendance, confirmation of earlier minutes, the co-option of Mrs. Premila Wagle and Mrs. Rhoda Mehta, appreciation for V. Paranjoti’s production of “Judas Maccabaeus,” and routine organisational and financial decisions.

The substantive policy material concerns foreign affairs and party organisation. Draft foreign-policy proposals call for stronger armed forces, improved military equipment, settlement of outstanding issues with Pakistan, consultation with neighbouring South and South-East Asian countries, and vigilance against infiltration and “5th Column activities.” The committee also discusses multilingual party service folders, assistance for students attending a cultural programme, cooperation with the Committee for Solidarity with Tibet, opposition to proposed bus-fare increases, ward-level enrolment, and the adoption of the Convention’s statement of accounts.

Key points

• The notice calls a Swatantra Party Organising Committee meeting for 8 January 1960 at the Bombay Party office.
• The minutes document the 2 December 1959 meeting of the Greater Bombay Organising Committee.
• Premila Wagle and Rhoda Mehta were co-opted to the Organising Committee.
• The committee praised V. Paranjoti’s production of Judas Maccabaeus and proposed sending a letter of thanks.
• The party planned service folders in English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati, with 40,000 copies in total.
• The draft foreign-policy position prioritised military strengthening, Pakistan, regional consultation and vigilance against infiltration.
• The committee addressed ward organisation, opposition to bus-fare increases, solidarity with Tibet and convention accounts.