In a further bid to reshuffle power, Indira Gandhi at this time also invited ex-Congressmen to return to the party. There had been an expectation from Charan Singh to respond, but he seemed clear-eyed on his principles and cold to the proposal. In a letter to Karan Singh Varma, he notes that should anyone return to the party, the public would entirely lose their trust in political leaders. Policy differences with the Congress remain unchanged. In the 19th BKD meeting, this stance was affirmed once again. It was also noted that merger talks with other parties viz. the PSP and Swatantra were also suspended. The move to renew the SVD seemed a dead letter by the end of September.