GENERAL SECRETARY'S LETTER No.152

Summary

Dated 18 April 1967, this Swatantra Party Central Office letter from acting General Secretary N. Dandekar instructs party contacts to mobilise MLAs and MPs for the Presidential Election scheduled for 6 May. It announces that state offices will reimburse eligible travel expenses for MLAs who travel to their state capitals after voting, while MPs with free rail passes will not require reimbursement.

The letter makes clear that the administrative arrangements are intended to secure every Swatantra Party legislator’s vote for Shri Subba Rao, described as the Joint Opposition nominee. It asks recipients to ensure that MLAs attend and vote at the state capital, that MPs unable to travel to Delhi vote there instead, and that party leaders and chief whips encourage maximum turnout and canvass support among non-party MLAs. The document ends by requesting a report on the steps taken pursuant to the circular.

Key points

• The letter concerns the forthcoming Presidential Election on 6 May 1967.
• It directs Swatantra Party contacts to ensure that party MLAs and MPs cast their votes.
• State offices are to reimburse eligible MLA travel costs after voting at the state capital.
• MPs who lack free travel privileges may have their fares reimbursed through the Central Office.
• The stated electoral objective is to elect Shri Subba Rao as the Joint Opposition nominee.
• Recipients are asked to coordinate with party MLAs, MPs, legislative party leaders, and chief whips.
• The letter encourages canvassing support for Subba Rao among MLAs outside the Swatantra Party.