[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

In this letter dated 9 April 1970, C. Rajagopalachari responds to M. R. Masani’s concerns about C. C. Desai’s conduct and its possible consequences for the Gujarat Swatantra Party. Rajagopalachari agrees that Indira Gandhi’s faction may absorb the party and acquire control of Gujarat, and endorses National Headquarters’ view that severe action should be taken against Desai despite the unfortunate circumstances.

Rajagopalachari says that his ill health prevents him from offering more active or concrete advice, and asks Masani, H. M. Patel, Lobo Probhu, and others to assume responsibility for decisions and action. He notes that he has separately written to Desai, marking the enclosed copy as not for publication and supplying it to Masani for personal information. The letter also mentions Sundaram of Coimbatore’s serious illness and reports that Mariswami is inclined to let the crisis continue, while indicating that Mariswami is expected to attend a meeting in Delhi on 11 April.

Key points

• Rajagopalachari agrees with Masani’s apprehension about C. C. Desai’s attitude and activities.
• He fears that Indira Gandhi’s faction may absorb the Gujarat Swatantra Party and acquire Gujarat.
• He endorses severe action against Desai, following the conclusion of National Headquarters.
• Because of his poor health, Rajagopalachari leaves decisions and action to Masani, H. M. Patel, Lobo Probhu, and others.
• He has enclosed a private, marked-not-for-publication letter to Desai for Masani’s personal information.
• The letter reports Sundaram of Coimbatore’s illness and Mariswami’s reluctance to resolve the crisis.