Letter to M S Aney

Summary

In this letter dated March 26, 1962, C. Rajagopalachari responds to Dr. M. S. Aney’s hesitation about joining the Swatantra Party. Rajagopalachari acknowledges that Nagpur is unsuitable for the party convention but regrets that Aney may withdraw after earlier correspondence and publicity concerning his decision to join. He urges Aney to join the party’s Parliamentary Group at least as an Associate member, and mentions that the party had considered asking its Lok Sabha group to nominate Aney as its leader. Rajagopalachari clarifies the Swatantra Party’s positions on several political and regional questions. He states that the party did not support the Akalis’ demand for a Punjabi Suba, rejects the idea that it identified itself with the DMK claim, and explains that proposed adjustments to electoral seats in Madras were intended to avoid triangular contests that might benefit Congress candidates. On Nag-Vidarbha, he says the party has taken no position and would allow individual members to advocate the issue. The summary is based on the complete single-page letter; no additional pages or surrounding correspondence were available.

Key points

• Rajagopalachari asks M. S. Aney not to withdraw from joining the Swatantra Party. He acknowledges that Nagpur is unsuitable as the venue for the Swatantra Party Convention. He states that the party did not support the Akalis’ demand for a Punjabi Suba. He rejects the claim that the Swatantra Party identified itself with the DMK demand. He explains that proposed electoral adjustments in Madras sought to avoid triangular contests that could advantage Congress candidates. He says the party has expressed no position on Nag-Vidarbha and permits individual members to advocate it.
• He suggests that Aney join the Parliamentary Group at least as an Associate member.