[Letter to Piloo Mody]

Summary

In this letter dated 25 April 1974, S. Gopalakrishnan urges Piloo Mody to resist merging the Swatantra Party with opposition parties whose records and conduct, he argues, make them unworthy partners. He rejects personal attachment to party, flag, or name, but insists that any political action must serve the public interest and remain consistent with Swatantra’s objectives. The letter specifically warns against association with what he describes as an undisciplined and corrupt political leadership.

Key points

• Gopalakrishnan opposes a proposed merger of the Swatantra Party with other opposition parties.
• He argues that the decisive criterion for cooperation should be the merit and previous conduct of prospective partners.
• The letter presents Swatantra primarily as an educational mission grounded in individual freedom, liberalism, and rejection of Statism.
• It argues that educating the electorate must precede the pursuit of immediate political power.
• Gopalakrishnan recommends intensified public education through leaflets, literature, meetings, and speeches.
• The letter invokes C. Rajagopalachari’s view that parliamentary work should remain auxiliary to the party’s educational purpose.
• It concludes that cooperation must not sacrifice party principles or the gains achieved through years of political work.