Swatantra against bloc or front in Parliament

Summary

This one-page Times of India report, dated New Delhi March 20, 1971, describes the Swatantra Party’s decision not to form a parliamentary bloc or front with its alliance partners. M. R. Masani, speaking after a meeting of the party’s Central Parliamentary Board, said the idea of a bloc was no longer worth pursuing and instructed Swatantra members to function independently while articulating the party’s distinct policies. The report notes that the board rejected a merger with the Jana Sangh and Samyukta Socialist Party, although it allowed cooperation on particular issues.

Key points

• The Swatantra Party decided against forming a parliamentary bloc or front with its alliance partners.
• M. R. Masani said the party should function independently and present its distinctive policies.
• The party rejected merger with the Jana Sangh and Samyukta Socialist Party while permitting issue-based cooperation.
• The report says the party was preparing a post-election review and further policy discussion.
• Masani criticised the Congress’s electoral majority as disproportionate to its popular vote and argued for proportional representation.
• The Swatantra board attributed the Congress victory partly to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s personal appeal and use of money power.
• Masani described himself as a victim of the alliance or front, while P. K. Deo was reported as the new leader of the Swatantra group in the Lok Sabha.