[Letter to Madhu Mehta]

Summary

This two-page correspondence concerns the preservation and recovery of records associated with the Swatantra Party. In his reply dated March 21, 1985, S. V. Raju apologises for reproducing a postscript that may have hurt Madhu Mehta’s feelings, then explains that he believes Mehta’s account of missing party papers requires verification. Raju asks Mehta to help persuade M. Rajda to search the party office for documents and notes that he has collected papers from Minoo Masani, including materials previously given to Masani by Bhatia.

The preceding letter from Madhu Mehta, dated March 14, reports that Mehta has no Swatantra Party records personally and had been told that Rajda destroyed materials after taking possession of the party premises. Mehta identifies this as a serious matter, says that Bhatia has reported that substantial material was given to M. R. Masani, and offers to be interviewed. The pages document an exchange among former or associated Swatantra Party figures about institutional memory, disputed custody of papers, and the reconstruction of the party’s documentary record.

Key points

• The document is a March 21, 1985 reply from S. V. Raju to Madhu Mehta, accompanied by Mehta’s March 14 letter.
• Raju apologises for including a postscript that he believes may have hurt Mehta’s feelings.
• The correspondence focuses on the location, destruction, and recovery of Swatantra Party papers and records.
• Mehta says he has no Swatantra Party records and reports that M. Rajda may have destroyed materials after taking possession of the party premises.
• Raju asks Mehta to help persuade Rajda to search the party office for documents.
• Raju says he has collected papers from Minoo Masani, including papers previously given to Masani by Bhatia.
• The exchange reflects concern with preserving the documentary history of the Swatantra Party.