[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

This two-page letter, marked “COPY,” was written by Babubhai Vaidya from Rajkot to Minoo Masani on 31 March 1968. Vaidya reports that he consulted Babubhai Shah and sent a letter concerning Rajaji, Professor Ranga, Mr. Dandekar, and Masani. The principal subject is an internal party dispute involving a demand for Rs. 3,000, alleged failure to support Vaidya’s election campaign, secret propaganda against him, and accusations that he had supported Mr. Ravji Solanki of the P.S.P. rather than the Swatantra Party candidate.

Key points

• Vaidya says Bhailaka asked him to contribute Rs. 3,000 to the party fund or have Masani pay it on his behalf.
• He describes an alleged campaign against him and says he was denied an opportunity to answer the accusations.
• He rejects the allegation that he helped Mr. Masani and others, stating that he was never given a chance to clear the matter.
• He argues that party officials obstructed his campaign, kept him away from voters, and failed to provide specific grounds for the opposition to him.
• He reports that Mr. Mahida filed his nomination before the Central Parliamentary Board’s decision and that no action was taken against him before election day.
• The letter presents the episode as evidence of factionalism, procedural unfairness, and poor internal party governance.