[General Secretarys Letter no-110]

Summary

Dated November 15, 1965, this General Secretary’s Letter from the Swatantra Party Central Office reports decisions of the Central Parliamentary Board and National Executive and directs Party Units to take follow-up action. It asks Units to support prospective candidates publicly where nominations have been made and where both the Unit and candidate agree that the candidate’s name may be publicised. It also announces that the next National Convention should be held in October or November 1966, with Bombay and Gujarat having extended invitations, and invites suggestions from other Units before the venue is finalised.

The letter clarifies internal governance powers: State Units may dissolve non-functioning or unsatisfactory district, constituency, or taluka committees, while specified appeals may be made to the National Executive. State Committees are also authorised to remove unsatisfactory office-bearers at constituency or taluka level, with district-level appeals suspending removal until the appeal is decided. Finally, it lists National Executive resolutions on the economic situation, foreign policy in the context of the recent Pakistan conflict, detention cases, exploitation of the present crisis, nuclear-weapons manufacture, and States’ Rights, urging their wide publication and discussion.

Key points

• The Central Parliamentary Board recommends appeals for public support to nominated prospective Party candidates where the relevant Unit and candidate consent.
• The next National Convention is planned for October or November 1966, with Bombay and Gujarat proposed as possible venues.
• A General Council meeting is to be convened before the next National Convention, with details to follow.
• State Units may dissolve non-functioning or unsatisfactory district, constituency, and taluka committees, subject to specified appeal rights.
• State Committees may remove unsatisfactory constituency- or taluka-level office-bearers; district-level removals may be appealed to the National Executive.
• The National Executive adopted resolutions on economic conditions, foreign policy concerning the recent conflict with Pakistan, detention cases, exploitation of the crisis, nuclear weapons, and States’ Rights.
• Party Units are instructed to publicise the economic and Indo-Pakistan resolutions and hold meetings explaining Party policy to workers and the public.