[For Favour of Publication]

Summary

This untitled press statement, dated Ahmedabad, August 21, 1966, records M. R. Masani’s case for the Swatantra Party as the democratic alternative to Congress and communism. He describes Congress as a “paper tiger,” criticises its parliamentary majority as an artefact of the electoral system, and cites an opinion poll showing its support falling from 60 per cent in January–February 1966 to 41 per cent in May. Masani argues that a second party is essential to protect parliamentary democracy and presents Swatantra as national, non-denominational, and capable of challenging Congress electorally.

Masani defines Swatantra as primarily a peasants’ party that also supports competitive free enterprise against state-capitalist monopoly. Its immediate electoral objectives are to deny Congress a Lok Sabha majority and form governments in states including Gujarat. The statement attacks the Fourth Plan, excessive taxation, permit-licence-quota politics, and Congress statism, while proposing progressive decontrol and regional collective security for defence. It closes by presenting Swatantra as a synthesis of Gandhian thinking and Western liberalism, and by appealing to younger people and business leaders to join active politics.

Key points

• Masani frames the political choice as one between communist dictatorship and the Swatantra Party’s free way of life.
• He calls Congress a “paper tiger” and attributes its parliamentary majority partly to the electoral system and the absence of an effective alternative.
• The statement cites an urban opinion poll reporting a decline in Congress support from 60 per cent to 41 per cent during 1966.
• Swatantra is presented as a national, non-denominational party with an equal voice for Indians across religious, communal, and regional lines.
• The party’s electoral goals are to deny Congress a Lok Sabha majority and demonstrate its governing capacity in states including Gujarat.
• Masani links rural interests and competitive free enterprise, opposing state-capitalist monopoly and the permit-licence-quota system.
• The proposed programme includes shelving the Fourth Plan, progressive decontrol, regional collective security, and substantial tax reduction.