DRAFT MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE HELD ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, AT 3.30 P.M. AT THE RESIDENCE OF DR. K. M. MUNSHI IN BOMBAY.

Summary

This three-page draft records the first meeting of the Swatantra Party’s National Executive, held on 14 February 1965 at K. M. Munshi’s residence in Bombay. Chaired by Prof. N. G. Ranga, the meeting constituted a Central Parliamentary Board, including C. Rajagopalachari, R. N. Singh Deo, Lakshman Singh, Jaideepsingh, Bhanu Pratap Singh, and G. Latchanna, alongside ex-officio members consisting of the President, four Vice-Presidents, the Senior Treasurer, and the General Secretary.

The minutes also address party organisation and public affairs. The General Secretary was asked to circulate proposals for strengthening the central office and coordinating state units, including work involving youth, women, peasants, volunteers, training, publicity, press relations, and translation into Indian languages. The Executive adopted a resolution criticising the Government of India’s handling of charges against the present and former Chief Ministers of Orissa and other state ministers, calling for publication of the relevant Central Bureau of Investigation report. The meeting additionally decided that the Party should maintain its existing practice of allowing individual members to express their views on the language controversy in South India.

Key points

• The National Executive met for the first time on 14 February 1965 at K. M. Munshi’s residence in Bombay.
• A Central Parliamentary Board was constituted with six named members and ex-officio party office-bearers.
• Parliamentary and state legislative leaders were to be consulted on House-related matters and candidate nominations.
• The central office was tasked with improving organisational coordination, publicity, volunteer work, training, press relations, and translation.
• The Executive criticised the Government of India’s procedure concerning charges against ministers in Orissa.
• The Party called for publication of the Central Bureau of Investigation report to allow public appraisal of the charges.
• The Executive retained its policy of allowing individual members to speak on the South Indian language controversy.