[Letter to Madhu N Mehta]

Summary

This two-page English correspondence, dated 30–31 March 1968, records Madhu N. Mehta’s response to Minoo Masani’s resignation from the Swatantra Party’s National Executive and Central Parliamentary Board. In the enclosed copy addressed to General Secretary N. Dandekar, Mehta describes the resignation as shocking and argues that party members should respond with urgency rather than allow internal divisions to deepen, especially with the Haryana elections approaching and what he calls a general deterioration in the country’s political situation.

Mehta proposes that the Swatantra Party’s General Council be summoned immediately to consider Masani’s resignation and decide on measures to restore party order. Although he notes that the National Executive is due to meet at Bhubaneswar in about two months, he insists that the party cannot wait that long. The covering letter asks an unnamed friend to sign and return a separate request for an emergency meeting, which Mehta would forward to Dandekar for action.

Key points

• Madhu N. Mehta writes in response to Minoo Masani’s resignation from the Swatantra Party’s National Executive and Central Parliamentary Board.
• The enclosed letter to N. Dandekar calls the resignation shocking and reflects concern about recent developments within the party.
• Mehta argues that members should not divide their ranks at a moment of political deterioration and before the Haryana elections.
• He proposes an emergency meeting of the Swatantra Party General Council.
• The proposed meeting would discuss Masani’s resignation and decide how to prevent further deterioration and restore party order.
• The covering letter asks an unnamed colleague or friend to sign and return a request for the General Council meeting.