Minutes of the Meeting

Summary

These minutes record a General Body meeting of the Swatantra Party held on 21 February 1969 at Parliament House, New Delhi, and issued by the party’s Parliamentary Office on 22 February. The attendance list includes senior party figures, including Minoo Masani, Piloo Mody, R. K. Amin, C. C. Desai, and D. N. Patodia, who signed as Secretary. The meeting focused on the party’s parliamentary position and immediate legislative strategy.

The members resolved to oppose M. R. Pai’s bill and government amendments that would remove a constitutional provision requiring ratification of amendments concerning Fundamental Rights by 50 per cent of State Assemblies. They also discussed the Members Salaries and Allowances Report, supporting referral of the bill to a person with judicial background while leaving MPs freedom of action if the party’s preferred proposal was not accepted. Finally, the meeting considered C. C. Desai’s bill on reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, deciding to seek Rajaji’s advice before taking a final position.

Key points

• The General Body meeting took place on 21 February 1969 at Parliament House, with the minutes issued the following day.
• The party decided to oppose M. R. Pai’s bill and related government amendments concerning constitutional amendments and Fundamental Rights.
• The proposed amendment would have removed a requirement for ratification by 50 per cent of State Assemblies.
• Members discussed the Members Salaries and Allowances Report and a possible referral of the bill to a person with judicial background.
• The minutes record a willingness to allow MPs freedom of action and voting if the party’s preferred proposal was not accepted.
• The party deferred a decision on C. C. Desai’s reservation bill pending advice from Rajaji.