[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

This one-page letter, dated 4 June 1968, is written by V. T. Sreenivasan of the Swatantra Party’s Mysore State organisation to Minoo Masani. Sreenivasan expresses distress over what he regards as Masani’s shabby treatment at recent General Council meetings in Madras and criticises C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) for allegedly diverting the dispute by quibbling over the word “pledge.”

Sreenivasan says he has written a brief article for the next issue of “Mysindia” to set the record straight publicly and has enclosed a copy for Masani. The document is therefore both a personal expression of party solidarity and an indication of an internal Swatantra Party dispute over the interpretation and public presentation of a pledge.

Key points

• The letter is dated 4 June 1968 and originates from the Swatantra Party’s Mysore State office in Bangalore.
• V. T. Sreenivasan writes to Minoo Masani about Masani’s treatment at recent General Council meetings in Madras.
• Sreenivasan says he was particularly disappointed by Rajaji’s handling of the issue.
• The dispute turns on Rajaji’s interpretation or questioning of the word “pledge.”
• Sreenivasan intends to publish an article in the next issue of “Mysindia” to clarify the public record.
• The letter closes with an expression of support for Masani: “Wishing more power to your elbow.”