[letter from Mr Girish Munshi]

Summary

This two-page English letter, dated 20 August 1974 and signed by Girish L. Munshi as General Secretary, informs Sassoon J. David and Company Limited that the Swatantra Party, Maharashtra, will continue to exist despite any decision by the party’s central organisation to dissolve itself. The letter states that the Maharashtra unit has occupied the premises as a tenant for fifteen years, has regularly paid rent, and intends to maintain its tenancy and relations with the landlord.

Key points

• The Maharashtra unit rejects or distances itself from the proposed dissolution of the Swatantra Party at the national level.
• It asserts that the party’s principles and policies remain valid.
• It argues that the proposed new party would not provide a genuinely national alternative because its constituent groups disagree over a vague general programme.
• It warns that the continued existence of the Congress (O) and Jan Sangh would frustrate the objective of a two-party system and could benefit the ruling Congress.
• It asks the landlord to accept tenancy-related correspondence only from the Maharashtra Swatantra Party represented by its authorised office-bearers.
• The attached 6 July 1974 resolution records the Maharashtra State Council’s formal opposition to dissolving the party and its intention to retain the party’s identity if dissolution is approved nationally.