GENERAL SECRETARY'S LETTER NO. 131

Summary

In this 8 August 1966 letter, M. R. Masani, General Secretary of the Swatantra Party, provides guidance to state units preparing conventions before the party’s National Convention in November. He recommends a one-and-a-half-day programme: an afternoon inaugural session open to the press and invited public, followed by closed business sessions, with at least half a day reserved for a distinct discussion of party organisation rather than resolutions and policies. State units are asked to prepare and circulate an organisational report to delegates one month in advance.

Drawing on the party’s 1964 National Convention in Bangalore and a recent Mysore State convention, Masani argues that conventions should avoid expensive, time-consuming ceremonial forms such as shamianas and processions. He encloses an organisational chart prepared for the Third National Convention in Bangalore as a practical aid. The second rendered page consists of that chart, detailing committees and responsibilities for reception, transport, accommodation, publicity, press relations, invitations, finance, and volunteer coordination.

Key points

• The letter sets out a recommended one-and-a-half-day format for Swatantra Party state conventions.
• The opening afternoon session should be inaugural, open to the press and invited members of the public.
• The following day should be devoted to closed business sessions.
• At least half a day should address party organisation separately from resolutions and policy.
• State-unit organisational reports should be circulated to delegates one month before the convention.
• Masani advocates business-like conventions that reduce ceremonial expense and save time and money.
• An enclosed chart organises the reception, transport, accommodation, publicity, press, invitation, finance, and volunteer arrangements for the Third National Convention.