[Letter to R C Cooper]

Summary

In this letter dated 4 April 1972, M. R. Masani responds to R. C. Cooper’s proposals concerning the future of the Swatantra Party. Masani says that, after reading S. V. Raju’s analysis of the party’s condition, he agrees with its broad conclusions but rejects all three suggested courses of action: dissolution, merger with another party, and a further attempt to continue along existing lines. He questions whether dissolution would serve any useful purpose, arguing that the party’s continued existence could preserve an alternative to the ruling Congress and sustain liberal political activity.

Key points

• Masani endorses the broad analysis in S. V. Raju’s reply regarding the Swatantra Party’s condition.
• He rejects the three alternatives proposed by Cooper, believing that each could do more harm than good.
• He doubts that dissolving the Swatantra Party would create a viable alternative for people unwilling to join Congress or withdraw from public life.
• He presents the party’s legacy, the Indian Liberal Group, Freedom First, and other extracurricular activities as sources of institutional continuity and courage.
• He argues for basic education and political preparation rather than immediate organisational manoeuvres.
• He suggests that abandoning electoral politics could allow the party to concentrate on its basic educational task and perhaps preserve its influence.
• The letter uses the experience of non-Communist Hungarian parties after the Second World War as an example of dormant political forces re-emerging during a crisis.