A BJP Vs BJP contest of Saran MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy Vs former Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan for control over the Constitution Club, which caters to MPs and former MPs in New Delhi, was decided in favour of Mr. Rudy after weeks of hectic campaigning that revealed interesting political alliances. Both were slugging it out for the post of secretary (administration).
In total, 707 votes were polled, around 679 were cast and another 38 votes were ballots, making it 60% of the electorate, possibly the largest ever for these polls. Mr. Rudy won by a margin of 102 votes.
“Everyone rose from their party [line] and cast their vote… My panel had people from the Congress, SP, Trinamool Congress and Independent MPs… I got the result of my efforts in the last two decades,” Mr. Rudy said after the victory.
Mr. Rudy has been at the helm of the Constitution Club for nearly a quarter of a century and was largely credited with reviving it from the largely dilapidated state it had fallen into in the years past. The length of his tenure was also held against him, as his opponents said a fresh team should be elected.
The CC, as it presently stands, was inaugurated in 1965 on Rafi Marg, right close to Vittalbhai Patel House which has flats for members of Parliament. It has been the site of many political and non-political events, seminars and press conferences, and its revival since the early 2000s has seen it adding guest rooms, a spa, a gym and restaurants to its facilities.
The polls this time created a kerfuffle not only because of the BJP Vs BJP angle, but the fervour with which campaigning was done, leading to first term MP from the BJP Kangana Ranaut to state bemusedly “for the first time, its BJP versus BJP, so this is quite confusing, especially for those of us who are new.”
Ms. Ranaut’s confusion apart, the campaigning camps created their own speculation. Lok Sabha MP from Jharkhand Nishikant Dubey and Anakapalli MP C.M. Ramesh campaigned for Mr. Balyan, while Congress MP Deepender Hooda seemed to be on Mr. Rudy’s side. A large voter turnout, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP president and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi participated in the polling.
Within this BJP Vs BJP fight, speculation was rife that Mr. Balyan, aided by Mr. Dubey, had the support of the “senior” leadership of BJP leaders, while Mr. Rudy had the support of a strong regional satrap of the party, although both denied that it was so.
Mr. Balyan said he was not a candidate of any group in the party but agreed that the Opposition was successful in creating this impression. “Had I been the party’s choice, only six votes would not have been cast from Gujarat, the strongest centre of the group that is being alluded to, and several Ministers would not have stayed away from voting.”
He said contesting the election was his personal decision because he had observed over the years that the Constitution Club was reduced to the “private property” of a few parliamentarians and a space for “private dealings and parties”.
He held the Opposition leadership responsible for his loss because it “issued directions” to their members to vote against him in an election which is not fought on party lines. “I have several friends across party lines. They told me that they had been directed to vote against me.” He claimed Mr. Rudy’s group didn’t help in dismissing the impression that he (Mr. Balyan) was a party candidate, as it was in their favour.
He refuted the allegation that the election was fought on caste lines. “While Dhananjay Singh stood by me, Deepender Hooda and Jayant Chaudhary didn’t cast their votes.”
Mr. Balyan said he might have lost the election, but the election has created awareness about the Club becoming a preserve of a few. “Having secured 291 votes, I am sure present and erstwhile parliamentarians will ensure that it becomes a replacement of the Central Hall of the previous Parliament House.”
Polls in the CC are usually held for four posts apart from the 11 executive committee members. While the secretary (administration) post saw these polls, the posts of secretary (treasurer) was won by DMK MP P. Wilson, secretary (sports) won by Congress MP Rajiv Shukla, and secretary (culture) was secured by DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva, after candidates facing them withdrew their nominations.
