Minutes of the Meeting

Summary

This one-page record, dated November 15, 1968, documents an emergency meeting of the Swatantra Party Executive Committee held at 2.30 p.m. in Parliament House. Seven members are listed as present: M. R. Masani, Y. G. Goud, Piloo Mody, K. M. Koushik, H. Ajral Khan, Dahayalal V. Patel, and K. P. Singh Deo.

The committee discussed the conduct of Communist and socialist members of the Lok Sabha on November 13, when the Prime Minister was prevented from speaking. It regarded the incident as a serious threat to parliamentary democracy and resolved to raise public awareness. The committee recommended that the Parliamentary Board and National Executive consider passing a resolution condemning the behaviour of Communist, socialist, and Congress members of Parliament. The document is signed by an illegibly identified Chief Whip.

Key points

• An emergency meeting of the Swatantra Party Executive Committee was held in Parliament House on November 15, 1968.
• Seven committee members are listed as present, including M. R. Masani and Piloo Mody.
• The meeting was initiated by Piloo Mody and focused on conduct in the Lok Sabha on November 13.
• The committee objected to Communist and socialist members preventing the Prime Minister from speaking.
• The incident was judged capable of seriously affecting parliamentary democracy in India.
• The committee called for public awareness of what it described as a dangerous developing situation.
• It recommended that the Parliamentary Board and National Executive consider a resolution condemning the conduct of Communist, socialist, and Congress parliamentarians.