[Letter from Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

In this two-page letter dated 3 August 1962, M. R. Masani reports to Dahyabhai V. Patel on decisions taken at the Parliamentary Board meeting in Madras on 21–22 July. The Board resolved to retain the existing nominations of office-bearers for the Rajya Sabha’s August–September session, urged party members to clear arrears and make regular monthly contributions, and authorised the Central Office to appoint a Research Assistant for the parliamentary group at a salary of up to Rs. 500 per month. Masani recommends that A. P. Jain be interviewed for the post, noting his alertness and intelligence and his four years’ experience working with Pandit H. N. Kunzru.

The letter also records the Board’s foreign-policy position. It considered the Government’s policy toward Chinese aggression too weak and urged greater firmness. Party members were to oppose the I.T.G. Deal, which the Board regarded as economically illusory and dependent on Soviet jet planes and spare parts. The visible continuation on page 2 argues that, despite divisions, the alliance between the Soviet and Chinese governments would hold. The summary is based on the complete two-page document; no pages are missing from this letter.

Key points

• The Parliamentary Board decided not to change the party’s Rajya Sabha office-bearer nominations for the August–September 1962 session.
• The Board urged members to pay outstanding arrears and make monthly contributions regularly to support party-office operations.
• The Central Office was asked to arrange the appointment of a Research Assistant for the parliamentary group, with a salary not exceeding Rs. 500 per month.
• Masani recommended A. P. Jain for consideration and suggested an interview by the screening committee.
• The Board called for a firmer government policy in response to Chinese aggression.
• The party was instructed to oppose the I.T.G. Deal, which the Board considered economically illusory and strategically dependent on Soviet supplies.