DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 1963 at 9.45 A.M. AT KALKI BUILDINGS, MADRAS.

Summary

These draft minutes record the Swatantra Party Central Organising Committee’s meeting in Madras on 4 August 1963. The committee reviewed opposition cooperation in Bombay, constitutional and parliamentary questions, political developments in Punjab and Orissa, the continuation of the Emergency, the Voice of America agreement, and the Party’s financial position. It permitted state units discretion to join legitimate democratic agitations while excluding direct action and any agitation that would benefit the Communist Party. It also authorised the Party’s Parliamentary Group to determine its position on a possible no-confidence motion and approved resolutions on maintaining democratic processes and opposing the Constitution (17th Amendment) Bill.

Key points

• The committee confirmed the previous minutes and reviewed correspondence concerning inter-opposition cooperation, including discussions with Acharya Kripalani.
• State units were given discretion to cooperate with democratic opposition parties in legitimate agitations, but direct action was not permitted and cooperation benefiting the Communist Party was rejected.
• K. M. Munshi was asked to examine Piloo Mody’s proposal to challenge the constitutional validity of the Compulsory Deposit Scheme in the Supreme Court.
• The committee approved a scheme for active Party membership, including eligibility, fees, membership duties, associate status, identity cards, and a smaller constituency committee.
• The committee supported electoral cooperation in Punjab, considered corruption inquiries in Orissa, and discussed possible parliamentary responses to the Emergency and a no-confidence motion.
• The committee reported serious financial difficulties at the Central Office, including an overdraft and a lack of available funds.
• The attached resolutions defended democratic processes, fundamental rights, judicial independence, private land ownership, and opposition to the Constitution (17th Amendment) Bill.