History repeats itself at BTC

History repeated itself at Bangalore Turf Club in dramatic fashion on Monday when the Extra-Ordinary General Body Meeting voted with a massive majority to direct the Chairman of the Club P V Shetty to resign from the post. The meeting was convened by members who wanted to move a resolution to request the Chairman to step down as they felt that the Chairman was incapable of steering the club in the hour of the crisis in view of the government’s firm resolve not to extend the lease of the premises beyond December 31, 2009. Though the government has recently allotted land at Chikkajala, the crucial question of extension of lease is yet to be addressed.

The Chairman had been unable to impress on the members about his ability to guide the club in these critical times in view of his inability to open a communication channel with the members of the club as well those whose livelihood depended on the sport. About two decades back, the then Chairman Venugopal Naidu was replaced as Chairman in the Managing Committee meeting by P G Belliappa. The Club then faced the threat of a government take over and the Chairman was seen as being on the side of the government. The Karnataka Racing Commission which was appointed by the Ramakrishna Hegde government had recommended the dissolution of the club and suggested the formation of Karnataka Turf Authority to run racing in the State.

The members of the club highlighted various lacunas in the running of the club including arbitrary surrendering of the members parking area as an extension of the Chief Minister’s house during the stormy session. Several issues were raised during the meeting which saw Chairman P V Shetty hard-pressed to answer. Former BTC Chairman Kumar Siddanna said that P V Shetty could not preside over the meeting as proprietary demanded that somebody else heads the chair as the issue concerned the Chairman himself. P V Shetty sought to make Harimohan Naidu as the Chairman but the members said that the senior most among the committee members should be made the Chairman. Former Chairman Harinder Shetty was then asked to chair the meeting.

P V Shetty sought to bring the legal advisor of the club to answer the queries of members but this was not permitted. The Finance Secretary of the Government explained the stand of the government and informed the members that the government was not against racing and the order of the government sanctioning the land would be dispatched in a few days. He also said that government would consider extending the lease period and tax moratorium though he could not give specific guarantees in this regard. Three resolutions were then put to vote and all of them were passed with massive majority in a secret ballot.

The first resolution was to request P V Shetty to resign as Chairman; the second was to involve the Karnataka Racehorse Owners Association, Karnataka Trainers Association and others directly involved with the sport in all matters affecting them and to take legal recourse to save racing should the need arise. After the result of the secret ballot was announced, the members then directed the committee to elect a new Chairman within the next 48 hours.

Barring any last minute twist to the tale, the new Chairman will be elected on Wednesday.

In the meanwhile, P V Shetty is reportedly contemplating take legal recourse against the resolution. However, the Managing Committee which elected P V Shetty itself is now seeking to replace him; the issue may not stand legal scrutiny. The Managing Committee has been directed by the members to file a caveat against any possible legal battle that may result consequent to the resolution passed by the EGM of the club.