National Executive Circular No. 120

Summary

This three-page English-language circular, issued by the Swatantra Party national headquarters on June 19, 1974, reports the General Council’s response to efforts by several parties to form a National Alternative. The Council welcomed the merger initiative but held that the Swatantra Party’s final decision could be taken only by a National Convention. It therefore proposed an early convention, asked State Councils to examine the draft programme, and sought members’ approval of a reduced delegation ratio in view of the party’s financial and venue constraints.

Key points

• The General Council meeting in Delhi on June 9–10, 1974, unanimously welcomed efforts to bring parties together into a National Alternative.
• The circular states that only a National Convention was competent to make the final decision for the Swatantra Party on the merger issue.
• The proposed convention would use one delegate for every 100 members, rather than the constitutional ratio of one for every ten, because of limited resources and accommodation.
• The enclosed membership table records 70,638 members and 705 representatives across the listed states and regions as of September 30, 1973.
• The Council authorised the President to fix the convention’s date and venue and directed that the draft programme be circulated to State Councils.
• The resolutions congratulate Jayaprakash Narayan on his non-violent struggle in Bihar and criticise the Congress government for failing to provide clean and honest administration.
• The Council also called on the Haryana Government to investigate the arrest of Ramanan Kalia, describing possible political vendetta as a concern.