[Letter to C Rajagopalachari]

Summary

In this confidential letter dated May 29, 1970, M. R. Masani reports progress toward a proposed parliamentary arrangement between the Jan Sangh and the Swatantra Party. He describes a Delhi meeting involving Morarji Desai, Ram Subhag Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Hadhok, and says he has been asked to prepare a draft statement for the All India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting at the end of June. The proposed arrangement would involve a joint response to the government’s July meetings and, if successful, a parliamentary coalition with one leader, two deputy leaders, and a common discipline.

Key points

• Masani reports on negotiations among opposition leaders in Delhi.
• He has prepared a draft intended as the basis for a statement to the AICC.
• The proposed Jan Sangh–Swatantra response concerns the government’s meetings planned for July.
• The contemplated parliamentary arrangement would have one leader, two deputy leaders, and common discipline.
• Morarji Desai has provisionally accepted Masani’s draft, subject to minor textual changes.
• Masani identifies opposition from Gujarat members as the principal obstacle.
• He asks Rajagopalachari to discuss the draft with Desai during an upcoming meeting in Madras.