Minutes of the Meeting:

Summary

This two-page office record documents a General Body meeting of the Swatantra Party’s parliamentary group held in Parliament House, New Delhi, on 19 February 1970. It lists 24 members present, with Professor N. G. Ranga in the chair, and records M. R. Masani’s report on recent decisions of the National Executive and Central Parliamentary Board. The meeting discussed circulating the party’s policy statement, creating a weekly bulletin titled “Swatantra in Parliament” under Piloo Mody’s editorship, and improving parliamentary attendance, discipline, and coordination through the Party Whip.

Key points

• The meeting was held in Room No. 50, first floor, Parliament House, New Delhi, on 19 February 1970.
• Professor N. G. Ranga chaired a meeting attended by 24 members of the Swatantra Party’s parliamentary group.
• M. R. Masani reported on decisions of the National Executive and Central Parliamentary Board.
• The party proposed converting “Swatantra in Parliament” into a weekly bulletin for a wider readership.
• Members were urged to improve attendance and discipline and to obtain the Party Leader’s permission before joint statements or meetings with other parties.
• The party supported adjournment motions concerning alleged misuse of gubernatorial powers, constitutional problems in West Bengal, statements by the Prime Minister, and the Supreme Court’s Bank nationalisation judgment.
• A six-member subcommittee was appointed to draft the party’s amendment to the President’s Address.