[Swatantra Party General Secretarys Letter No-320]

Summary

This ten-page archival file contains correspondence and resolutions concerning the Swatantra Party’s Seventh National Convention, held in New Delhi on 4–5 August 1974. The documents record an internal debate over whether the party should dissolve and join a broader National Alternative. The General Council had supported negotiations with other political parties, while insisting that the final decision be made by a National Convention after members had examined the proposed programme.

The convention considered competing resolutions: one rejecting dissolution and one approving it. The resolution against dissolution received 53 votes, while the dissolution resolution passed with 407 votes in favour, 53 against, and one neutral. The accompanying state-wise table records substantial support for dissolution, particularly from Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu. The final resolution welcomed the formation of the Bharatiya Lok Dal (People’s Party of India), authorised President Piloo Mody to implement the merger, and instructed the Election Commission to freeze the Swatantra Party’s electoral symbol. The file also includes an unsuccessful proposal arguing that the party should remain in existence as an independent national alternative.

Key points

• The Seventh National Convention of the Swatantra Party met in New Delhi on 4–5 August 1974 to decide the party’s future.
• The General Council supported efforts to create a National Alternative but reserved the final decision on dissolution for the convention.
• A resolution rejecting dissolution lost by 53 votes to 406, with one neutral vote.
• A resolution approving dissolution passed by 407 votes to 53, with one neutral vote.
• The state-wise voting table shows especially strong support for dissolution from Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Andhra.
• The final resolution approved merger into the Bharatiya Lok Dal and authorised President Piloo Mody to carry out the necessary steps.
• The documents frame the merger as part of an effort to create a two-party system and a non-Congress, non-Communist national alternative.