[Telegram to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

This one-page press telegram, sent from Bhopal on 30 July 1967 to M. R. Masani in New Delhi, reports that the M. I. Mishra government in Madhya Pradesh was defeated by sixteen votes on a demand concerning education. The telegram says that the governor was informed of the voting results and of the Sanyukta Vidhayak Dal’s readiness to form a stable government, implement an agreed minimum programme, and secure passage of the budget or a vote on account. The signatories call for the immediate dismissal of the Mishra ministry and for the Sanyukta Vidhayak Dal to be allowed to form the government, presenting this as necessary to uphold the Constitution and democracy. The page also states that Pandit Dwarka Prashad Mishra had neither tendered his resignation nor met the governor, contrary to parliamentary conventions and precedents. Some words in the telegram are obscured or crossed out.

Key points

• The M. I. Mishra government is reported to have been defeated by sixteen votes on an education demand. The governor was informed of the assembly voting results. The Sanyukta Vidhayak Dal is described as prepared to form a stable government. The proposed government would implement an agreed minimum programme. The telegram reports that the budget or vote on account had passed on Monday. The signatories demand the immediate dismissal of the Mishra ministry.
• The appeal frames a transfer of power to the Sanyukta Vidhayak Dal as necessary to uphold the Constitution and democracy.