Minutes of the Executive Meeting of the Bombay Region held on 5th May 1973.

Summary

These two-page minutes record the Swatantra Party’s Bombay Region executive meeting held at Shantilal Thar’s residence on 5 May 1973. Chaired by Madhu Mehta, the meeting confirmed the minutes of two January meetings and discussed the Party’s approach to future elections. Premod Tejookaya argued that future contests should be fought on party tickets, while the president explained why the March 1973 civic elections had been treated as an exception in order to keep party politics out of the civic arena.

The principal political issue was a campaign against the supersession of senior judges in appointing the Chief Justice of India. The committee proposed intensifying its signature campaign, circulating forms to lawyers and solicitors, strengthening collection at unit level, seeking support from other political organisations, and holding a demonstration before the High Court on 5 June 1973. The president also reported that the Swatantra Party’s Sixth National Convention at Madras had been successful and briefed members on its decisions. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks at approximately 5 p.m.

Key points

• The Bombay Region executive meeting of the Swatantra Party was held on 5 May 1973 under the chairmanship of Madhu Mehta.
• Earlier minutes from meetings held on 17 and 25 January 1973 were read and confirmed.
• Members debated whether future elections should be contested exclusively on party tickets, distinguishing this from the Party’s conduct during the March 1973 municipal elections.
• The committee planned to intensify a signature campaign opposing the supersession of senior judges in the appointment of the Chief Justice of India.
• A Bombay Bundh and a demonstration before the High Court on 5 June 1973 were proposed, with efforts to secure support from other political parties and organisations.
• The president described the Sixth National Convention at Madras as a success and briefed members on its resolutions.