Swatantra Points To Communist Menace

Summary

This 8 June 1968 report from Statesman Weekly describes resolutions adopted by the Swatantra Party general council in response to what it presents as a growing Communist threat in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The resolutions also called for a favourable Delhi response to the Singapore Prime Minister’s mutual-defence proposal for South-East Asia. The article frames these positions alongside an internal party dispute over discipline and leadership.

Key points

• The Swatantra Party general council identified growing Communist influence in Kerala and Tamil Nadu as a major concern.
• The council sought a favourable Delhi response to Singapore’s mutual-defence proposal for South-East Asia.
• The party’s national executive took disciplinary action against several Gujarat members and expelled another member who had contested Rajaya Santhan’s election.
• M. R. Masani declined re-election to the national executive after objecting to the disciplinary action and what he described as the party’s apparent failure to act against more important members.
• N. Dandekar argued that the Gujarat dispute had been resolved and that the party could now function in a healthier way.
• The reported meeting was attended by only 69 of the 170 members, and party president Prof. N. G. Ranga did not attend.