GENERAL SECRETARY'S STATEMENT ON ORGANISATION

Summary

This internal-circulation statement, dated February 1, 1965, reviews the Swatantra Party’s condition since its formation and argues that its prospects for the 1967 general elections are promising but dependent on urgent organisational reform. It attributes public disillusionment with the Congress government to deteriorating economic conditions, while acknowledging that the Swatantra Party itself has suffered from weak organisation, inadequate resources, inconsistent state units, insufficient membership mobilisation, and failures of discipline and leadership. The statement points to the Party’s electoral gains in 1962, its position as the main opposition in Parliament, and its official-opposition status in Orissa, Rajasthan, and Gujarat as a foundation for expansion.

The proposals centre on making “expansion” the Party’s keyword. The document sets ambitious electoral targets, including roughly 125 Lok Sabha seats, Swatantra or Swatantra-led governments in Orissa, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, and a stronger opposition presence in states such as Andhra. To reach them, it calls for hundreds of parliamentary standard-bearers and full-time organisers, candidate education and training, greater financial resources, expanded activity in neglected regions, and cooperation among democratic opposition parties without surrendering the Party’s independence. It also proposes a stronger national headquarters, central coordination of the 1967 campaign, multilingual party literature, and clearer responsibilities for candidates and state units. The visible pages end while outlining measures to strengthen headquarters; no later organisational proposals are present in the rendered document.

Key points

• The statement presents the Swatantra Party’s prospects for the 1967 elections as bright, but insists that electoral success requires organisational renewal.
• It records weaknesses including stagnant organisation, thin membership, inadequate resources, inactive state units, poor discipline, and inconsistent public messaging.
• The Party is urged to expand rapidly into untouched districts and mobilise younger people, candidates, organisers, and full-time workers.
• The stated electoral targets include around 125 Lok Sabha seats, Swatantra-led governments in Orissa, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, and principal-opposition status in additional states.
• The proposals require approximately 300 parliamentary candidates, another 300 full-time constituency-level organisers, training programmes, and substantial new funding.
• The 1967 campaign should be nationally directed by the National Executive and a strong Parliamentary Board, while state units continue to provide advice and assistance.
• Candidates are expected not merely to contest elections but to serve as constituency-level party leaders and builders of local organisation.
• The statement calls for a substantially strengthened national headquarters with joint secretaries, field organisers, and dedicated departments for women, youth, peasants, publicity, and labour.