[Letter to C Rajagopalachari]

Summary

In this two-page letter dated April 25, 1970, M. R. Masani writes to C. Rajagopalachari (“Rajaji”) about recent political developments in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. He reports that the Gujarat State Council has reconsidered the expulsion of a party member and adopted a compromise, which he interprets as a way for Gujarat leaders to avoid an open clash while postponing a formal decision. He also describes concerns about the Tamil Nadu Parliamentary Board’s decision to nominate a candidate for a by-election in Colachel after the death of a sitting Opposition Congress member, arguing that the decision violates a principle the party has advocated.

Key points

• Masani reports on the Gujarat State Council’s reconsideration of a proposed expulsion.
• He characterizes the Gujarat compromise as a face-saving device intended to avert an immediate confrontation.
• The letter discusses a Tamil Nadu by-election in Colachel and the Parliamentary Board’s candidate-selection decision.
• Masani argues that the Colachel nomination cuts across the party’s stated principle concerning vacancies caused by the death or resignation of sitting Opposition Congress members.
• He notes that another recent by-election, in Maharashtra’s Bhiwandi, followed a different approach to candidate selection.
• Masani asks Rajagopalachari for his views and expresses hope that the party will win the Colachel by-election.