[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

This two-page handwritten letter, dated 3 April 1968 and sent from Rajkot by Ratibhai Wabhai Patel to Minoo Masani, proposes minimum measures for the “purification” of the Gujarat Swatantra Party. Patel identifies party workers and nomination-paper signatories whom he believes should be expelled, including a polling agent associated with Mr. Mahida. He also argues that members who came to Ahmedabad during the parliamentary session and campaigned against Bababhai Vaidya should first be asked for explanations before the National Executive decides whether disciplinary action is warranted.

Patel further recommends appointing an inquiry committee of two or three senior persons to meet the Gujarat Swatantra Party MLAs, collect statements, identify those who deliberately dishonoured the party mandate, and remove them from the party for two or three years. He encloses press clippings from “Fullchand” and “Jansatta” for Masani’s information and closes by asking about an unpaid Rs. 250 district-office allowance for March. The letter is complete as rendered, though several handwritten names are difficult to read with certainty.

Key points

• Patel writes to Minoo Masani from Rajkot on 3 April 1968.
• He calls for minimum steps to purify the Gujarat Swatantra Party.
• He recommends expelling active propagators and signatories whom he associates with factional activity.
• He proposes seeking explanations from members who campaigned against Bababhai Vaidya before disciplinary action is taken.
• He recommends an inquiry committee to interview Gujarat Swatantra Party MLAs and identify deliberate breaches of the party mandate.
• He suggests suspending or removing offenders from the party for two or three years.
• He encloses press clippings and follows up on a Rs. 250 district-office payment for March.