[Letter to Mody]

Summary

In this letter dated 22 April 1974, A.C. Bisaria writes to Mr. Mody in his capacity as a State Executive member of the Delhi State Swatantra Party and a member of its General Council. He disputes a press report that the Swatantra Party had approved a merger with seven other parties, noting that the National Executive had instead only decided to explore the possibility of such a merger. He reports that R.N. Singh Deo and D.N. Patodia attended a meeting convened by Charan Singh, but says that no details had yet emerged about the proposed new party or the basis for discussion at the forthcoming General Council meeting.

Bisaria’s central concern is ideological and organisational: he questions how the “foremost rightist Party like Swatantra” could merge with parties he considers unlike-minded, particularly the S.S.P. associated with Raj Narain. He asks Mody to guide him so that he can prepare for the 1 May 1974 meeting. The page also contains handwritten annotations and a signature, but their full meaning is not always clear.

Key points

• Bisaria identifies himself as a Delhi State Swatantra Party State Executive member and General Council member.
• He challenges a press report claiming that the Swatantra Party had approved a merger proposal.
• He distinguishes between approving a merger and merely exploring its possibility.
• He reports that R.N. Singh Deo and D.N. Patodia attended a seven-party meeting convened by Charan Singh.
• He notes that the proposed new party’s programme and the basis for discussion remained unclear.
• He questions the compatibility of Swatantra with the other parties, especially the S.S.P. associated with Raj Narain.
• He asks Mr. Mody for guidance before the General Council meeting scheduled for 1 May 1974.