COPY OF RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE STATE COUNCIL of the Swatantra Party, Maharashtra

Summary

This one-page resolution records the Maharashtra State Council of the Swatantra Party’s meeting in Bombay on 6 July 1974. The council considers a proposal to dissolve the Swatantra Party alongside six other parties in order to facilitate the formation of a new party, but argues that the Swatantra Party is the only national party among them and that the proposed merger would obscure disagreements over the interpretation of broad policy principles.

The resolution maintains that the party’s principles and policies remain valid and that government policies based on them could have prevented India’s present critical situation. It rejects the timing of the party’s disappearance from Indian political life, citing the continuing existence of the Congress and Jana Sangh and warning that a two-party system would remain unattainable while these parties retain their separate identities. The council therefore asks the party’s office-bearers to convene another General Council meeting before the matter reaches the National Convention. It adds that, if dissolution is nevertheless approved, the Maharashtra unit will retain its identity as the Swatantra Party and carry on its message and flag.

Key points

• The Maharashtra State Council met in Bombay on 6 July 1974 to consider dissolving the Swatantra Party.
• The proposed dissolution was linked to the possible formation of a new party with six other parties.
• The council presents Swatantra as the only national party among the parties expected to dissolve.
• It argues that the party’s principles and policies remain valid and relevant to India’s critical situation.
• It warns that a genuine two-party system will not emerge while Congress and Jana Sangh continue separately.
• The council opposes the party’s disappearance from Indian political life at that time.
• It requests another General Council meeting before the dissolution proposal is taken to the National Convention.
• The resolution was proposed by Mr. Parmanand Kejriwal, seconded by Mr. K. H. Subramaniam, and passed with one dissenting vote from Mr. N. K. Jagtap.