[Letter to Bhanu Pratap Singh]

Summary

This two-page letter, dated 18 June 1968, records N. Dandekar’s advice to Bhanu Pratap Singh on Swatantra Party organisation and electoral strategy. Dandekar supports touring districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Orissa, but insists that touring should serve the search for suitable candidates rather than be an end in itself. He says the party has already approved 12 constituencies where it won in 1967 and 26 more where its candidates came second with either at least 7,500 votes or more than 50 percent of the winning candidate’s vote. He argues against lowering these standards and recommends relying primarily on experienced, loyal party workers, with only limited exceptions for constituencies where independent or incumbent candidates might join the party.

The second page addresses electoral alliances. Dandekar rejects cooperation with parties to the right of the PSP and with the Communist Party, including Jana Sangh, on the grounds that they would not accept Swatantra candidates in contests against the Congress. Regarding the BKD, he proposes closer cooperation, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where Charan Singh is identified as its leader. He encloses a confidential note describing three possible forms of cooperation, including a new party involving the Swatantra Party, BKD, PSP, and other parties, or BKD’s eventual merger into Swatantra. The letter closes by authorising Singh to pursue the proposed alliance discussions further.

Key points

• Dandekar recommends district tours in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Orissa to support candidate selection.
• The party’s initial candidate search is based on 12 constituencies it won in 1967 and 26 where its candidates performed strongly but lost.
• He cautions against selecting candidates merely to fill seats and favours experienced, loyal Swatantra Party workers.
• He rejects electoral alliances with parties to the right of the PSP and with the Communist Party.
• He sees potential for close cooperation with the BKD, especially in Uttar Pradesh under Charan Singh.
• A confidential proposal considers a new multi-party formation or the eventual merger of the BKD into the Swatantra Party.