[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

This three-page correspondence from October 1970 records an exchange between A. P. Jain and M. R. Masani within the Swatantra Party Parliamentary Office. The letters address press reports about a proposed understanding among opposition parties, particularly the so-called SVD at the Centre and a possible parliamentary bloc involving the SSP and PSP. Jain proposes that Masani publicly reject the reported “hotchpotch” arrangement, while Masani insists that no one from his side had participated in such discussions and that the Swatantra Party opposed the SVD model.

Key points

• A. P. Jain proposes a press conference in Parliament House to respond to reports about opposition-party negotiations.
• Jain asks Masani to publicly oppose the proposed understanding among parties such as the SSP and PSP.
• The correspondence links the issue to reports in The Hindustan Times, The Statesman, and other national newspapers.
• Masani denies that Swatantra Party representatives had attended the reported talks and says several leaders were absent from Delhi.
• Masani describes the Swatantra Party as opposed to an SVD-style alliance lacking agreement on a basic programme.
• The letters also discuss the Statesman’s planned report on the possibilities and prospects of mid-term elections.