[Letter to Mr C Rajagopalchari]

Summary

In this letter dated 13 June 1969, M. R. Masani writes to C. Rajagopalachari about the breakdown of talks among the Swatantra Party, Jana Sangh and B.K.D. He disputes a press release describing the first day’s proceedings as “satisfactory,” arguing instead that the parties failed to agree on Kashmir and that the Jana Sangh showed little willingness to participate in a wider merger or coordinated programme.

Masani attributes particular significance to Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s absence from the Delhi meeting and cites the Jana Sangh’s positions and recent parliamentary conduct as evidence of a persistent ideological and political distance from the Swatantra Party. He says the talks should not continue without clear evidence of a change of heart, while recommending that the B.K.D. merger question be discussed separately and pursued only through an agreed programme rather than an immediate dissolution into a single party.

Key points

• Masani challenges the public description of the talks as “satisfactory,” citing the parties’ failure to agree on Kashmir.
• He argues that the Jana Sangh was reluctant to discuss merger or joint action despite public statements calling for closer cooperation.
• Vajpayee’s absence from the Delhi meeting is presented as evidence of the Jana Sangh’s lack of seriousness.
• Masani characterizes the Jana Sangh’s parliamentary record as inconsistently opposed to Communist and Socialist parties.
• He identifies a substantial gap between the parties on federalism versus obscurantism, a non-denominational approach, and opposition to the Jana Sangh’s communal and chauvinistic tendencies.
• He advises against continuing the talks unless the Jana Sangh demonstrates a clear change of heart.
• He recommends discussing a possible B.K.D.–Swatantra merger separately and developing an agreed programme before expecting the parties to merge.