[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

This two-page letter, dated 27 July 1974 and signed by G. Tiwari, urges Minoo Masani to intervene to prevent the Swatantra Party from being liquidated. Tiwari presents the party as the remaining organised alternative to the government’s socialist policies and argues that public opposition to socialist planning, statism, and centralisation has created an unusually favourable opportunity for the Swatantra Party to expand. He warns that the party leadership, after crippling the organisation through poor leadership, is now intent on destroying it altogether.

The letter also criticises the Bharatiya Kranti Dal (BKD), portraying it as an opportunistic combination of Jat and Yadav interests rather than a genuine political party. Tiwari cites statements attributed to Charan Singh and describes the party’s organisational control and electoral calculations in Uttar Pradesh. He asks Masani to act despite Piloo Mody’s refusal to let him attend the Delhi meeting of the National Council as an observer, and offers to do whatever he can to help.

Key points

• Tiwari asks Minoo Masani to intervene energetically to save the Swatantra Party from dissolution.
• The letter identifies the Swatantra Party as the principal alternative to the government’s socialist policies.
• It argues that criticism of socialist planning, statism, and centralisation has become more politically viable.
• Tiwari blames the party leadership for first weakening and then seeking to liquidate the organisation.
• The Bharatiya Kranti Dal is criticised as an opportunistic combination of Jat and Yadav groups.
• The letter discusses Charan Singh’s control of BKD organisation and its Uttar Pradesh electoral strategy.
• Tiwari says Piloo Mody refused permission for him to attend the Delhi National Council meeting as an observer.