Swatantra to Join 3-Party Alliance

Summary

This one-page English newspaper clipping reports from Madras on January 8, 1971, that the National Executive of the Swatantra Party unanimously decided to join a newly formed Front comprising the Organisation Congress, the Jan Sangh, and the Samyukta Socialist Party. The decision followed what the report describes as an assurance from the Congress (O) president that no communist party would be allowed to associate with the Front.

The report says the Swatantra Executive was disappointed by the abandonment of efforts to establish a democratic alliance with a common programme. Minoo Masani is quoted as favouring a limited common programme, while opposing cooperation with the CPI or CPM. The clipping also records the party’s reservations about the Election Commission’s abandoned election-broadcasting scheme and notes that the party’s national convention was postponed to January 30–31, when its election manifesto would be discussed.

Key points

• The Swatantra Party’s National Executive decided to join a three-party Front.
• The Front consisted of the Organisation Congress, the Jan Sangh, and the Samyukta Socialist Party.
• The decision was linked to an assurance excluding communist parties from association with the Front.
• Minoo Masani advocated a limited common programme and rejected cooperation with the CPI or CPM.
• The Executive criticised the abandonment of efforts to create a broader democratic alliance.
• The report also covers Swatantra’s objections to the Election Commission’s election-broadcasting scheme.
• The party’s national convention was postponed to January 30–31 for discussion of its election manifesto.