[Letter to N Dandeker]

Summary

In this letter dated March 29, 1968, M. R. Masani writes to N. Dandeker about a crisis in the Swatantra Party’s Gujarat organisation following reports that Bhailalbhai Patel and Jaideepsinghji of Baria had resigned from the party’s legislative leadership. Masani recounts the party’s 1966 arrangement with the Independent Progressive Group: in exchange for its support in electing Dr. Beharilal Anantani to the Rajya Sabha, the Gujarat party leadership promised that Babubhai Vaidya would be the party’s candidate in the 1968 Rajya Sabha elections.

Masani states that the Gujarat leaders later breached this promise by joining hands with the Congress Party to defeat the Swatantra candidate. Accepting personal responsibility because he had pledged the party’s word to the Independent Progressive Group, he offers his resignation from the National Executive and Central Parliamentary Board as an act of atonement. He nevertheless assures Dandeker that he will continue to support efforts to uphold the party’s disciplined and effective functioning.

Key points

• Masani expresses concern over the resignation of Gujarat party leaders after a disputed Rajya Sabha election.
• He recounts the 1966 electoral arrangement between the Swatantra Party and the Independent Progressive Group.
• The arrangement involved support for Dr. Beharilal Anantani in exchange for nominating Babubhai Vaidya in the 1968 Rajya Sabha elections.
• Masani says Gujarat legislators violated the party’s promise by joining hands with the Congress Party.
• He interprets the episode as evidence of wider political demoralisation entering the party’s own ranks.
• Masani accepts personal responsibility and offers to resign from the National Executive and Central Parliamentary Board.
• He pledges continued support for Dandeker’s efforts to preserve party discipline and effective functioning.