DRAFT MINUTES OF THE PARLIAMENTARY BOARD MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6, AND WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1962, AT 40, CANNING LANE, NEW DELHI.

Summary

This document records the draft minutes of the Swatantra Party Parliamentary Board meeting held in New Delhi on 6–7 November 1962, shortly after the Chinese offensive against India. The Board adopted a statement on the emergency, discussed recovery of party property, and considered the proposed banning of the Communist Party under the Defence of India Ordinance and Regulations. It also proposed that the President of India and state Governors preside over joint committees connected with the defence effort, and recommended a small Defence Council of senior serving and retired generals to advise and assist the Defence Ministry.

The minutes set out the Party’s position on voluntary contributions to the National Defence Fund, relations with Communist Party members on defence committees, and additional taxation. They also address the accounting of election funds, alleged unauthorised use of earmarked money by a district party president, and arrangements for electing office-bearers of the Swatantra Parliamentary Group. The annexed emergency statement calls for stronger defence organisation, military and civil-defence preparations, expanded foreign and military cooperation, a temporary Victory Plan and Ministry of Supply, renewed relations with Pakistan and Nepal, and international action through the United Nations. At the same time, it insists that emergency powers must not extinguish parliamentary government, fundamental rights, democratic processes, the rule of law, press freedom, or public access to information.

Key points

• The Parliamentary Board met on 6–7 November 1962 to respond to the Chinese offensive and the resulting national emergency.
• The Board unanimously adopted an emergency statement advocating military preparedness, civil defence, foreign assistance, and a Defence Council of senior and retired generals.
• It supported consideration of banning the Communist Party under the Defence of India Ordinance and Regulations.
• The minutes distinguish voluntary national-defence contributions from coercive fundraising and prescribe restrictions on cooperation with Communist Party members in defence committees.
• The annexure argues that non-alignment should be reconsidered in light of the attack by a Communist power, while also urging closer relations with Pakistan and Nepal.
• The emergency statement combines demands for expanded executive and defence capacity with safeguards for fundamental rights, democratic processes, the rule of law, press freedom, and parliamentary government.
• The Board reviewed election-fund accounts, declined immediate action against a district president accused of misusing earmarked funds, and reorganised procedures for parliamentary party office-bearer elections.