Notice of Resolution to be moved at the Seventh National Convention of the Swatantra Party on August 4 and 5, 1974 in New Delhi.

Summary

This two-page 1974 Swatantra Party notice presents a proposed resolution for the party’s Seventh National Convention in New Delhi on August 4–5. The resolution rejects a proposal to dissolve the Swatantra Party alongside six other parties in order to create a new political formation. It argues that the party’s principles and policies remain valid and that government policies based on those principles could have prevented the country’s critical situation.

The notice further contends that the proposed new party would not provide a genuinely national alternative because its prospective constituents disagree over the interpretation of a broad programme. It warns that the continued existence of Congress (O) and the Jan Sangh would preserve a two-party system advantageous to both, and concludes that the Swatantra Party should remain active. The attached newspaper clipping reports internal disagreement over the proposed merger, including a resolution authorising president Piloo Mody to negotiate a merger date and opposition led by Minoo Masani. The proposer and seconder of the printed resolution are left blank.

Key points

• The proposed resolution concerns whether the Swatantra Party should be dissolved to facilitate formation of a new party.
• The convention notice rejects dissolution and affirms the continuing validity of the party’s principles and policies.
• It argues that the proposed new party lacks a sufficiently coherent national programme.
• It warns that Congress (O) and the Jan Sangh would benefit from the disappearance of the Swatantra Party.
• A newspaper clipping records heated internal exchanges over the merger proposal.
• The clipping reports opposition led by Minoo Masani and a convention resolution authorising Piloo Mody to negotiate a merger date.