[Lette to Mr Masani]

Summary

This 29 June 1963 letter from N. G. Ranga to Minoo Masani discusses the scheduling and internal management of Swatantra Party meetings. Ranga agrees that the party’s General Council and subcommittees should meet in Madras on 3–4 August, suggests that an informal meeting of group leaders could temporarily address tensions around a proposed no-confidence motion, and forwards Sardar Kapur Singh’s letter concerning the party’s parliamentary group and delegation to the United States. He criticises the selection of that delegation without consultation with group leaders and describes its reported anti-Indian political writing as scandalous.

The attached extracts from letters by Sardar Kapur Singh and B. Ramachandra Reddi extend the document’s focus to party organisation. Kapur Singh proposes a revised seating arrangement for Swatantra members in the Lok Sabha, recommends deciding party office-bearers in advance of the August meeting, and suggests that the party’s recently increased strength justifies better parliamentary positioning. Reddi, citing ill health and his inability to continue as state president, asks Ranga to reconstitute the state committee and indicates that Sardar Latchanna should succeed him. The pages also mention concerns about American press coverage of the President’s tour, the Prime Minister’s holiday in Kashmir, and K. M. Munshi’s support for government financial policies.

Key points

• Ranga agrees to convene the Swatantra Party’s General Council and subcommittees in Madras on 3–4 August.
• He proposes an informal meeting of group leaders as a temporary way to manage internal disagreement before the General Council meets.
• He objects to Sardar Hukum Singh selecting a United States delegation without consulting party group leaders.
• The attached Kapur Singh extract addresses parliamentary seating, party prestige, and the advance selection of office-bearers.
• B. Ramachandra Reddi seeks reconstitution of the state committee because of ill health and supports Sardar Latchanna for the presidency.
• The correspondence comments on the American press’s treatment of the Rashtrapathi’s tour and on government financial policies.