[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

In this handwritten letter dated 2 July 1974, Sumattillal P. Shah writes to Minoo Masani after reading letters circulated by Piloo Mody concerning the proposed dissolution of the Swatantra Party and formation of a new party. Shah apologises for Mody’s criticism of Masani, argues that members opposing dissolution had legitimate reasons for doing so, and maintains that they should not be portrayed as having arrived at the Delhi meeting with their minds closed. He also endorses Masani’s political analysis, particularly the warning of an impending dictatorship, while rejecting the proposed two-party arrangement as an adequate response.

Shah argues that a future two-party system should consist of a liberal democratic party and a socialist party, rather than two ideologically indistinguishable formations. He criticises the proposed new party as ideologically heterogeneous and says that decentralisation, regional devolution, and federalism cannot justify abandoning the principles of the Swatantra Party. He identifies three alternatives: strengthen and retain the Swatantra Party, create a federation of parties while preserving their identities, or allow those committed to the new party to leave without forcing the Swatantra Party’s dissolution. The final page also invokes the precedent of Ashok Mehta and colleagues leaving the PSP to join Congress.

Key points

• Shah objects to Piloo Mody’s characterisation of Swatantra Party members who opposed dissolution.
• He supports Minoo Masani’s warning about the danger of impending dictatorship.
• He argues that a genuine two-party system should pair a liberal democratic party with a socialist party.
• He rejects the proposed new party as ideologically heterogeneous and inconsistent with Swatantra principles.
• He describes divisions over dissolution and notes that the General Council unanimously supported H. M. Patel’s resolution.
• He proposes retaining the Swatantra Party, forming a federation without erasing party identities, or allowing supporters of the new party to leave voluntarily.
• He warns that imposing dissolution would make a party split inevitable.