[Letter to Madhu N Mehta]

Summary

In this letter dated 30 March 1968, Madhu N. Mehta writes to N. Dandekar, General Secretary of the Swatantra Party, following Minoo Masani’s resignation from the party’s National Executive and Central Parliamentary Board. Mehta acknowledges the disappointment caused by recent events, particularly developments in Gujarat, but argues that the resignation of senior party-builders should prompt corrective action rather than further withdrawals from party posts.

Mehta says that the country’s expectations of the Swatantra Party are high and warns that internal disorder, alongside the deteriorating political situation and the approaching Haryana elections, could damage the party’s standing. He urges Dandekar to convene an emergency meeting of the General Council immediately, rather than waiting for the scheduled National Executive meeting in Bhubaneswar roughly two months later. The letter closes by asking other General Council members to support the request.

Key points

• The letter responds to Minoo Masani’s resignation from the Swatantra Party’s National Executive and Central Parliamentary Board.
• Mehta distinguishes between disappointment with party events and the need to retain experienced leaders who built the party.
• Recent developments in Gujarat and the deteriorating political situation are presented as reasons for urgent internal action.
• The approaching Haryana elections increase the pressure to resolve the party’s internal difficulties.
• Mehta asks N. Dandekar to call an emergency meeting of the General Council immediately.
• The proposed meeting would determine how to respond to Masani’s resignation and prevent further deterioration.