GENERAL PARLIAMENTARY BOARD SUB-COMMITTEE CIRCULAR No. 23

Summary

This two-page Swatantra Party Central Office circular, dated 12 April 1967 and signed by General Secretary M. R. Masani, reports two urgent political developments for consideration by the General Parliamentary Board Sub-Committee. First, it explains the decision not to allow a Swatantra Party member to join the Cabinet being formed by Charan Singh in Uttar Pradesh, citing the party’s policy of “double rejection” and non-association with Congress. It records competing pressures from party colleagues and from Mr. Akhtar Ali Khan, leader of the party’s small Vidhan Sabha group, who argued that cooperation was necessary to prevent a fresh election.

Key points

• The circular concerns Cabinet formation in Uttar Pradesh and a proposed by-election to the Rajya Sabha from Orissa.
• Masani and N. Dandekar opposed Swatantra participation in the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on grounds of party policy.
• The letter describes pressure from party legislators and from Akhtar Ali Khan for conditional cooperation with the new government.
• For the Orissa Rajya Sabha by-election, the party considered supporting a non-party candidate who would join Swatantra after election.
• The circular asks the Parliamentary Board Sub-Committee to approve both arrangements.
• Masani proposes a two-day meeting of the Parliamentary Board or National Executive before the next Parliament session to discuss policy and strategy.