[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

This personal and confidential letter, written from Rajkot on 13 March 1968 and addressed to Minoo Masani, reports factional conflict within the Swatantra Party over the selection of Babubhai Vaidya as its Rajya Sabha candidate. Rathubhai Patel describes objections raised at the party’s Gujarat State Council and State Executive meetings, including claims that Vaidya had criticized the party and opposed its ideology. He argues that the Central Parliamentary Board should honour the Gujarat State Committee’s commitment to Vaidya, while acknowledging that some Gujarat legislators may not support the nomination.

Key points

• The letter reports opposition within the Swatantra Party to Babubhai Vaidya’s nomination for the Rajya Sabha.
• Opponents allegedly questioned Vaidya’s ideological commitment and cited his past criticism of party figures.
• The writer distinguishes the present dispute from the Central Party’s earlier opposition to a nomination associated with Dr. Antani.
• The letter describes competing efforts to collect legislators’ signatures for or against Vaidya and for Mr. Mahida.
• It warns that Congress and Jansangh workers are exploiting the dispute and attacking the Swatantra Party.
• The writer urges party leaders to maintain discipline and carry out the Gujarat committee’s commitment to Vaidya.