[Letter to P K Deo]

Summary

This one-page letter, written by P. K. Deo from Bhawanipatna on 18 June 1964 to C. Rajagopalachari (“Rajaji”), concerns Deo’s position within the Swatantra Party and his absence from forthcoming party meetings because of the Delimitation Commission’s work in Bhubaneswar. Deo explains that, after Minoo Masani’s election to the Lok Sabha, he accepted a reduced role as party secretary rather than continuing as deputy leader, a decision he now regrets because he feels personally and politically slighted.

Deo asks Rajaji to support the creation of two Swatantra Party deputy-leader posts in the Lok Sabha, one for Masani and one for himself. He argues that the party’s expected role as the principal opposition makes the arrangement appropriate, and notes that the Communist Party already has two deputy leaders. The letter also refers to internal disputes over seating and party status, including an incident involving Yashpal Singh and a proposal concerning Sardar Kapur Singh’s responsibilities.

Key points

• Deo cannot attend the Swatantra Party’s Bombay meetings because he is engaged with the Delimitation Commission in Bhubaneswar.
• He recounts accepting the position of party secretary after Minoo Masani became Lok Sabha leader.
• He says he now regrets not following Rajaji’s earlier advice to remain deputy leader.
• He describes tensions over party hierarchy, parliamentary seating, and the status of former leaders.
• He asks Rajaji to recommend two deputy-leader posts for the Swatantra Party in the Lok Sabha.
• He presents the proposal as appropriate to the party’s expected role as the main opposition and compares it with the Communist Party’s two deputy leaders.