[Letter to C Rajagopalachari]

Summary

In this two-page letter dated 2 February 1963, M. R. Masani briefs C. Rajagopalachari (“Rajaji”) on discussions in Delhi and Bombay concerning the leadership crisis in the Bihar unit of the Swatantra Party. Masani reports that efforts to avoid a schism should preserve the Party’s authority, prestige, and integrity, while describing the Raja of Ramgarh’s appeal against the Madras decision and the allegations made by his supporters.

Key points

• Masani recounts discussions in Delhi with Ranga and other political colleagues about the Bihar dispute.
• He reports that the Raja of Ramgarh had been advised to accept the Madras decision and cooperate with a new Bihar State Executive.
• Masani says he did not wish to turn the matter into a personal conflict, arguing that the Party should judge the issue on its merits.
• He warns against further appeasement, saying that earlier concessions had contributed to deterioration in Bihar.
• He identifies three conditions for Ramgarh to remain President of the Bihar unit: implementation of the Madras decision, withdrawal or rejection of the appeal with regret for its allegations, and a vote of confidence from the Party’s relevant bodies.
• The letter presents the dispute as both a question of internal party authority and a test of whether a Bihar schism can be avoided.