[Swatantra Party Minutes of Meeting]

Summary

These draft minutes record the Swatantra Party Central Parliamentary Board meeting held in New Delhi on 13 April 1968. The Board reviewed defections from the Gujarat and Rajasthan legislatures, approved a recommendation that defecting legislators be expelled and barred from readmission for three years, and discussed procedures for introducing parliamentary Bills with prior party approval. It also considered proposed amendments to the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act and noted arrangements for implementing safeguards against misuse of the law.

Key points

• The Board condemned defections from the Gujarat and Rajasthan legislative parties and recommended expulsion plus a three-year bar on readmission.
• It reviewed the party’s performance in biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishads, recording five Rajya Sabha victories and an increase in the party’s Rajya Sabha strength from 13 to 15.
• The Board sought a consultative procedure between the party’s organisational and legislative wings for future Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections.
• It reviewed preparations for Haryana mid-term elections, including possible cooperation with the Jan Sangh and other democratic parties while ruling out cooperation with Communists.
• The minutes record decisions on by-elections, the party’s withdrawal from the S.V.D. in Uttar Pradesh, parliamentary group leadership, and the status of Upper Houses in states.
• The Board opposed the Insurance (Amendment) Bill 1968 as excessive state interference that could encourage political patronage, inefficiency, and corruption.
• It endorsed parliamentary positions on the Kutch Award, West Bengal, Indian residents in Kenya holding British passports, Punjab, and Minoo Masani’s resignation.