Masani Refuses to Rejoin Party Executive

Summary

This 2 June 1968 report from Mail, Madras describes M. R. Masani’s refusal to rejoin the Swatantra Party’s National Executive. Masani had resigned after what the report calls indiscipline among Gujarat legislators contributed to the defeat of the party’s official candidate in biennial Rajya Sabha elections. Although he declined re-election to the executive, he told the General Council that he would continue working for the party in Parliament and outside it.

The report also records two disputed resolutions before the General Council: one urging the National Executive to create conditions that would allow Masani to return, and another proposing an inquiry into allegations against party members in Gujarat and alleged disciplinary inaction against C. C. Desai. Both resolutions were put to a vote and declared lost. The meeting was held at Srinivasa Sastri Hall, Mylapore, under Professor M. Ruthnaswami, with sixty out of 170 members attending; C. Rajagopalachari was also present.

Key points

• M. R. Masani declined re-election to the Swatantra Party National Executive.
• He nevertheless pledged to continue working for the party in Parliament and outside it.
• Masani’s resignation followed reported indiscipline among Gujarat legislators.
• The dispute was connected to the defeat of the party’s official candidate in biennial Rajya Sabha elections.
• A proposal by N. Dandekar to re-elect Masani to the National Executive was accepted by Masani, according to the report.
• Two resolutions concerning Masani’s return and alleged party indiscipline were defeated.
• The General Council meeting took place in Mylapore with 60 of 170 members present, and C. Rajagopalachari attended.