EXTRACT FROM DRAFT MINUTES OF 5/1/62

Summary

This two-page extract from the Swatantra Party’s draft minutes, dated 5 January 1962, records a Parliamentary Sub-committee’s decision concerning the financing and allocation of Jeeps for the party’s endorsed candidates in Bihar. The committee reviewed correspondence between the Rajah Saheb of Ramgarh and the General Secretary about paying the Central Bank of India Limited for Jeeps purchased on the Rajah Saheb’s behalf. Because election funds had fallen short and the number of endorsed candidates had been reduced from 25 to 15, the committee resolved to pay Rs. 1,50,000 to the bank in monthly instalments of Rs. 20,000, subject to the delivery of the 15 Jeeps by 18 January 1962.

The minutes also specify conditions governing ownership, repayment, and use of the vehicles. The Jeeps were to be placed with the party’s endorsed Bihar candidates, while the Rajah Saheb would guarantee that they became party property once the bank had been paid. The committee further considered the interests of the pledgee and recorded that the Rajah Saheb should abstain from voting on the relevant part of the resolution. A subsequent arrangement assigns responsibility for delivering the vehicles to the General Secretary’s representative in Patna and requires candidates to return them after polling.

Key points

• The Parliamentary Sub-committee adopted a resolution on financing Jeeps for Swatantra Party candidates in Bihar.
• Expected election funds were not fully realised, and endorsed candidates were reduced from 25 to 15.
• The committee approved a payment of Rs. 1,50,000 to the Central Bank of India Limited in monthly instalments of Rs. 20,000.
• Payment was conditional on 15 Jeeps being delivered for use by Bihar candidates by 18 January 1962.
• The Rajah Saheb of Ramgarh guaranteed that the Jeeps would become party property after the bank was paid.
• The Rajah Saheb was to abstain from voting on the relevant portion of the resolution because of his association with the pledgee.
• The minutes set out arrangements for delivery, custody, and return of the Jeeps after polling.