DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL PARLIAMENTARY BOARD HELD AT THE RESIDENCE OF PROF. N.G. RANGA, 4 SUNHERI BAGH ROAD, NEW DELHI ON JULY 20, 1969.

Summary

These two pages are the draft minutes of a Central Parliamentary Board meeting held at Prof. N. G. Ranga’s New Delhi residence on 20 July 1969. The record confirms the previous meeting’s minutes, condemns the government’s recent Banking Nationalisation Ordinance as an improper attempt to bypass Parliament, and records the Board’s discussion of the forthcoming election of the President of India.

The Board considered Dr. C. D. Deshmukh as a candidate supported by the democratic opposition parties after Pandit Kunzru and Justice Subba Rao declined. Reports by N. Dandekar and M. R. Masani describe consultations with opposition groups, including the Swatantra Party, Bharatiya Kranti Dal, Jan Sangh, Akali Dal, P.S.P., and B.K.D. The Board unanimously decided that Swatantra should put forward Deshmukh, advised party voters to give him their first preference and Sanjiva Reddy their second preference, and suggested seeking Muslim League support. The minutes end with the meeting’s termination.

Key points

• The minutes of the Central Parliamentary Board’s 22 June 1969 meeting were confirmed.
• The Board condemned the Banking Nationalisation Ordinance, issued shortly before Parliament’s session, as an attempt to bypass normal parliamentary procedure.
• Pandit Kunzru and Justice Subba Rao had declined to contest the presidential election.
• N. Dandekar and M. R. Masani reported consultations among democratic opposition parties concerning C. D. Deshmukh’s candidacy.
• The Board decided that the Swatantra Party should nominate Deshmukh unless another equally eminent candidate emerged.
• Party voters were to give Deshmukh their first-preference vote and Sanjiva Reddy their second-preference vote.
• The Board considered approaching Muslim League leaders for support.