[Letter to Mr C Rajagopalchari]

Summary

In this typed letter dated April 7, 1970, C. C. Desai writes to C. Rajagopalachari (“Rajaji”) about a chargesheet alleging anti-party activities and an anti-party line in Parliament. Desai encloses the chargesheet and his reply, and asks to know the National Executive’s judgment at its forthcoming meeting.

Desai presents the dispute as one over freedom of expression and independent political thinking rather than party discipline. He defends his right to express views as a Swatantra Party member of Parliament and as someone whose constituents in Gujarat look to him for guidance. He argues that public representatives should be guided by what is required to maintain their standing with ordinary people, rather than by the preferences of a small group of capitalists or industrialists, while acknowledging the importance of capitalist support to the party’s structure.

Key points

• Desai informs Rajaji that a chargesheet has been issued against him for alleged anti-party activities and an anti-party line in Parliament.
• He encloses both the chargesheet and his written reply and awaits the National Executive’s judgment.
• He frames the matter as a question of freedom of expression and thinking, not merely party discipline.
• He claims the right to speak independently as a Swatantra Party Member of Parliament.
• He connects his political responsibility to the people of Gujarat, who look to him for guidance on important political issues.
• He contrasts the common man’s interests with the preferences of a few monopolists, industrialists, or capitalists.
• He acknowledges that capitalist support remains important to maintaining the party’s structure.