[Letter to The Editor-The Times Of India]

Summary

In this letter to The Times of India dated 21 July 1967, C. C. Desai challenges the Centre’s handling of the Madhya Pradesh constitutional crisis. He highlights an apparent contradiction between Home Minister Mr. Chavan’s categorical denial that the Centre instructed or advised the Governor and the Governor’s statement that he had acted to the extent permitted by the Constitution. Desai argues that the Chief Minister, Dwarka Prasad Mishra, was attempting to retain office and potentially secure dissolution of the legislature despite having lost majority support. Desai urges the Congress leadership, particularly Congress President Kamaraj, not to endorse a precedent that would allow chief ministers to dissolve legislatures when they no longer command a majority. He maintains that the Governor should dismiss the ministry and invite the Opposition leader to form a government if a stable majority is available, while remaining independent, impartial, and non-political. The letter closes with a personal appeal to Mishra to accept political defeat and leave office in the interests of democracy, decency, and morality.

Key points

• Desai identifies contradictory public statements by the Home Minister and the Madhya Pradesh Governor concerning Centre-State communications during the crisis. He argues that the Chief Minister’s proposed dissolution of the legislature would improperly preserve power after the loss of majority support. The letter warns that accepting this precedent could enable other chief ministers to dissolve legislatures rather than transfer power to viable alternatives. Desai calls on the Congress High Command and Kamaraj to uphold constitutional principles over partisan advantage. He proposes that the Governor dismiss the ministry and invite the Opposition leader to form a government where a stable majority exists. The Governor’s impartiality and independence are presented as essential safeguards in the constitutional dispute.
• Desai personally urges Dwarka Prasad Mishra to accept the loss of majority and leave office in the name of democracy, decency, and morality.