Letter to Mr Minoo Masani

Summary

This six-page handwritten letter, dated 19 April 1962 and written from New Delhi by a Member of Parliament whose signature appears to read “M. A. Venkata Rao,” is addressed to Minoo Masani. The writer reports having received Masani’s letters and discusses arrangements for the Swatantra Party parliamentary group, including the appointment of its secretary, the Speaker’s office, and the group’s fixed seating arrangements in the Lok Sabha.

The letter then records complaints concerning David Munjgin, Sardar Balbir Singh, and Sardar Dhannanjay? [name unclear], as well as the status of petitions and signatures relating to the Deputy Speaker. It describes discussions among opposition groups about selecting a Deputy Speaker and notes that the Congress party had agreed to a non-party candidate. The writer says that an “unfortunate” amendment was accepted by the Congress party, that Balbir Singh had been nominated, and that the author had voted against him. The closing page is brief and personal, mentioning travel plans and a return on Sunday evening.

Key points

• The letter is dated 19 April 1962 and is addressed to Minoo Masani.
• The writer reports receiving Masani’s letters and discusses continuing parliamentary matters.
• Swatantra Party parliamentary-group arrangements include the secretary, the Speaker’s office, and fixed Lok Sabha seating.
• The writer lists complaints concerning David Munjgin, Sardar Balbir Singh, and another partly illegible named individual.
• The letter discusses signatures and petitions addressed to the Speaker concerning the Deputy Speaker.
• Opposition groups appear to have agreed on the principle of selecting a Deputy Speaker, while the Congress proposed a non-party candidate.
• The writer records voting against Balbir Singh and closes with a note about travel and returning on Sunday evening.