[letter from Mr Girish Munshi]

Summary

In this letter dated August 23, 1974, Girish R. Munshi, writing as General Secretary of the Swatantra Party, informs the Chief Election Commissioner that the party’s national convention has authorised the President, in consultation with the National Executive, to dissolve the party. He explains that the Maharashtra State Council—the state unit’s highest decision-making body—has separately resolved that the Maharashtra State Swatantra Party will continue to function even if the central party is dissolved.

Munshi further asserts that the party’s “Star” symbol belongs to the Maharashtra unit as well as to the party’s other state units and national headquarters. He asks the Election Commission to recognise the Maharashtra unit’s continued adherence to the symbol and not to act on any request from the national headquarters to freeze it insofar as Maharashtra is concerned.

Key points

• The letter is dated August 23, 1974, and is addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner in New Delhi.
• Munshi reports a national convention decision authorising dissolution of the Swatantra Party by its President in consultation with the National Executive.
• The Maharashtra State Council has resolved that the state party will continue functioning despite any dissolution of the central party.
• The letter argues that the Swatantra Party’s “Star” election symbol belongs to the Maharashtra unit as well as to the national organisation and other state units.
• Munshi asks the Election Commission not to entertain a national-headquarters request to freeze the symbol in Maharashtra.
• The document records an institutional dispute over party continuity, state-unit authority, and control of an electoral symbol.