[Letter from Girish K Munshi]

Summary

This one-page letter, dated 31 December 1974 and signed by Girish Munshi as General Secretary of the All-India Swatantra Party, addresses the Election Commissioner concerning claims that the party had ceased to exist or had merged with the Biju Dal (BLD). Munshi reports that Harihar Patel, the party’s Vice-President and Orissa State Unit President, had informed him that P. K. Deo was inaccurately representing the position of Swatantra Party MLAs in the Orissa Vidhan Sabha and collecting their signatures on the basis of that alleged misrepresentation.

Munshi insists that the Swatantra Party remained active, citing its General Council meeting in Madras on 8 December 1974, the election of a new National Executive, and the appointment of G. K. Sundaem as President. He asks the Election Commissioner to give him notice before taking any decision on Deo’s letter so that the party can make suitable representations. The letter also records the party’s new national headquarters in Egmore, Madras, and notes delays in postal delivery.

Key points

• Girish Munshi writes to the Election Commissioner on behalf of the All-India Swatantra Party.
• The letter disputes claims that the Swatantra Party had ceased to exist or merged with the Biju Dal.
• Munshi reports allegations that P. K. Deo misrepresented the party’s position to Swatantra Party MLAs in the Orissa Vidhan Sabha.
• The letter states that signatures were allegedly collected from MLAs after creating the impression that they had joined the BLD.
• Munshi cites the Swatantra Party’s 8 December 1974 General Council meeting and the election of a new National Executive as evidence that the party continued to function.
• He requests formal notice before the Election Commissioner decides the matter, to allow the party to respond.
• The document gives the party’s new national headquarters as 26 Halls Road, Egmore, Madras 8.