[Letter from V S Srikumar]

Summary

This two-page letter, dated 2 January 1975 and signed by V. S. Srikumar as Joint Secretary of the Swatantra Party, asks the Election Commission not to freeze or reassign the party’s reserved “STAR” election symbol to the Bharatiya Lok Dal (BLD). Srikumar argues that the Swatantra Party remains operational across India, despite defections by some members, and that Piloo Mody’s attempt to dissolve or merge the party was unauthorized and legally ineffective.

The letter presents the party’s account of its internal reorganization, including the election of G. K. Sundaram as president, Girish Munshi as general secretary, and Srikumar as joint secretary, as well as the relocation of the national headquarters to Madras. It relies on proceedings in the Sixth City Civil Court, Madras, including a decree said to have been passed in the party’s favour on 10 December 1974. Srikumar concludes by requesting notice and an opportunity for the Swatantra Party to contest the BLD’s application for the symbol, warning that permitting both parties to use star imagery could confuse voters.

Key points

• The letter asks the Election Commission to reject the BLD’s request for the Swatantra Party’s reserved “STAR” election symbol.
• Srikumar maintains that the Swatantra Party continues to function nationally despite defections by some members.
• The letter disputes the legality of the August 1974 National Convention that purported to dissolve and merge the party into the BLD.
• It records the Swatantra Party’s claimed internal appointments and the relocation of its national headquarters to 26 Halls Road, Egmore, Madras.
• Srikumar cites a Sixth City Civil Court, Madras, decree dated 10 December 1974 as supporting the party’s position.
• The letter argues that the Election Commission should hear the Swatantra Party before deciding the symbol dispute.
• It warns that allowing the BLD to use the star symbol could confuse voters and prejudice the Swatantra Party.