[Letter to Mr C C Desai]

Summary

In this letter dated 9 April 1970, C. Rajagopalachari writes to C. C. Desai about the Swatantra Party’s case against him. Rajagopalachari considers Desai’s decision to support the Gujarat Government, and consequently to maintain hostility toward the incumbent Chief Minister and his government, damaging to the Swatantra Party as a whole.

Key points

• Rajagopalachari responds to a report on the Swatantra Party’s case against C. C. Desai.
• He describes Desai’s political position regarding the Gujarat Government and Indira Gandhi’s party.
• He argues that continued hostility toward the Gujarat Chief Minister and government harms the Swatantra Party nationally.
• He appeals to Desai to postpone the crisis for one year, citing Rajagopalachari’s physical ill health and inability to manage affairs personally.
• He suggests that Desai write to Mr. Masani as party president while continuing to hold his views firmly.
• The proposed compromise is intended to preserve the National Swatantra Party’s strength and suspend the action against Desai for a year.