Mid-Term Election in U.P.

Summary

This two-page Swatantra Party Central Office letter, dated 30 June 1968, seeks Minoo Masani’s assistance with the party’s preparations for the mid-term election in Uttar Pradesh, expected in February 1969. It candidly assesses the party’s poor performance in the 1967 general election: 207 constituencies contested, 12 won, 195 lost, and 178 deposits forfeited. The writer argues that careful selection of constituencies and candidates is essential, and encloses lists of potentially viable constituencies together with earlier correspondence setting out party policy.

The letter advocates reducing purely symbolic campaign support—“mere symbol lending,” “mere name lending,” and “mere support”—while keeping open the possibility of recruiting successful 1967 independent candidates. It specifically notes that Sitaram Jaipuria, M.P. (Rajya Sabha), had indicated that some independents might be willing to join the Swatantra Party and contest as its candidates. The sender’s handwritten signature is not sufficiently legible to establish authorship; the letter is addressed to Minoo Masani.

Key points

• The letter requests assistance for the Swatantra Party’s planned February 1969 mid-term election campaign in Uttar Pradesh.
• It reports that the party contested 207 seats in the 1967 general election, won 12, lost 195, and forfeited 178 deposits.
• The writer stresses the need for disciplined selection of constituencies and candidates.
• Enclosures reportedly include a list of selected constituencies and three earlier letters describing the writer’s views and party policy.
• The writer wants to minimize symbolic electoral arrangements such as lending party symbols, names, or support.
• The party should nevertheless remain open to recruiting independent candidates who performed well in 1967.
• The sender’s identity cannot be resolved from the handwritten signature.