GENERAL SECRETARY'S LETTER NO. 284

Summary

This one-page letter from Madhu Mehta, General Secretary of the Swatantra Party, dated 24 July 1972, concerns the party’s response to the collapse of the Orissa coalition government. It recalls a resolution of the General Council condemning the manner in which the government was brought down and notes the decision to organise an Anti-Defection Week during the monsoon session of the Orissa Assembly, with meetings in Bhubaneswar and the constituencies of defecting legislators.

Mehta asks state units to send contingents of ten members each to Orissa, both to demonstrate party solidarity and to project the anti-defection issue nationally. The letter provides logistical instructions: notify Mr. Chashiram Majhi of the names and travel arrangements of participants, send the list, report the fare, and identify the recipient for remitted funds. The requested arrangements were to be completed by 5 August.

Key points

• The letter records the Swatantra Party’s condemnation of the collapse of the Orissa coalition government.
• It refers to a General Council resolution adopted at a meeting in Madras on 24–25 June.
• The party planned an Anti-Defection Week during the monsoon session of the Orissa Assembly.
• Public meetings and processions were to be held in Bhubaneswar and in the constituencies of defecting legislators.
• State units were asked to send contingents of ten members to Orissa to demonstrate solidarity and raise the issue nationally.
• The Orissa Unit would arrange accommodation, local travel, and third-class return fares for participating members.
• State units were asked to finalise names, travel details, fares, and remittance instructions by 5 August.