RESOLUTION FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE SWATANTRA PARTY, NEW DELHI, AUGUST 2, 1974

Summary

This two-page resolution proposes dissolving the Swatantra Party so that a new political party can be formed, while preserving the party’s principles and policies. It argues that the Swatantra Party is the only one of the seven parties expected to dissolve that is a national party, and urges the proposed successor to build a credible national alternative to the Congress government by attracting other democratic opposition parties.

The resolution acknowledges delegates’ disappointment but maintains that Swatantra principles remain valid and that their adoption by the Union Government would have prevented the country’s critical situation. It therefore converts the party into a non-party organisation, the Swatantra Seva Sangh, dedicated to educational and constructive activity, excluding electoral and parliamentary work at both Union and State levels. This arrangement is presented as allowing some members to join the new party while enabling others to continue educating the public about Swatantra principles and serving India in a constructive manner.

Key points

• The resolution recommends dissolving the Swatantra Party to facilitate the formation of a new political party.
• It calls for a credible national democratic alternative to the ruling Congress.
• It states that Swatantra principles and policies, formulated in 1959–1960, remain valid.
• It invokes freedom of choice and expression within the organisation and consensus-based decision-making.
• It converts the Swatantra Party into the non-party Swatantra Seva Sangh.
• The new organisation is assigned educational and constructive activities rather than electoral or parliamentary activity.
• The arrangement is intended to accommodate both members joining the proposed new party and members continuing non-electoral public education and service.