Crisis of leadership in Bangalore Turf Club

The decision of the division bench of High Court of Karnataka, directing BTC to vacate its premises by September 22, 2010 and dismissing its petition against the government for termination of lease has come as a big blow to racing not only in Bangalore but also in India. There is a crisis of leadership at BTC and the present people at the helm seem to be incapable of bailing the club out of the present impasse. The least they can do is to resign, owning moral responsibility for the debacle and pave the way for selection of people of caliber like P G Belliappa to lead the club in this hour of crisis. The internecine quarrels among the present managing committee have only hastened the present scenario. Somehow each of the members of the Managing Committee doesn’t seem to have any credential, commitment or vision barring indulging in petty intrigue. The men who were expected to take the lead in the present managing committee too have been found wanting and are singularly responsible for the dead end that racing has reached following the defeat of club’s petition in the High Court.

The young Turks among the members also brought about this situation by closing all doors for negotiation with the government. Though the government might have expected to win the battle in the court, they too perhaps did not expect the kind of decision that they got. The special general body meeting of the club set the tone for the series of blunders that the managing committee kept taking following the removal of P V Shetty as Chairman. Shetty was seen as working against the interests of the club and aiding the cause of the government. The special general body removed Shetty as the Chairman and then directed the managing committee to pursue the path of confrontation in its bid to extend its stay at the present premises under the false premise, advocated by some, that the grant of 1915 was absolute despite signing repeated lease agreements, the last one as late as two years ago.

The club let slip an excellent opportunity to strike a bargain with the government which was keen on settling the matter without taking the issue to the courts. The government on its part had identified land at five places and was willing to give tax concessions and also extension at the existing venue for a couple of years provided the club showed earnestness in relocating the race course. However, the militants among the members directed the managing committee that the club should accede to government’s request only in the event of getting 150 acres of land, tax waiver, financial grant and five years time to relocate which however did not find favour with the government. The club rushed through with the decision to take the matter to the courts.

Most of the big lawyers that the club approached did not find merit in club’s case. R Nariman refused to take the brief stating the club had no case. The club managed to get the services of Rohatgi at a premium but he too dropped out after appearing twice. Now after six months since the case was filed on October 14, the matter has been disposed of by the High Court Division Bench.

Successive governments since the 60’s have made attempts to shift the race course. The turf club showed the mentality of slum dwellers and refused to shift by dodging the issue even as the existing venue kept getting cramped due to road expansion on almost all sides of the race course. The governments too did not last out to see through plan. Land in excess of 200 acres in close proximity to Bangalore was offered but the club did not accept the same. Now the situation has reached such a head that hardly any land is available around Bangalore and even if it is available, it is a cost that the club cannot afford.

The Bangalore Turf Club never planned for the future. They never saved money but spent all that it earned. Hyderabad Race Club which believed in saving money for the future and is reportedly planning to buy land in order to ensure future revenues in the event of betting slump jeopardizing the sport. Royal Calcutta Turf Club and Madras Race Club were able to generate additional revenues every year by leasing out the land that they owned in order to secure the future of racing. Bangalore took no such insurance. They did not believe in the future which is what has brought them to the present state of chaos.

The turf club has no money, no land to relocate. The club thus has compromised racing itself and its lack of vision now threatens the very foundations of the sport and will have long term impact on every sector connected with the sport. At a time when the sport should have been expanding, it is losing its premier base.

The only way out is Supreme Court but even if the club were to get some relief, it is not going to be a permanent solution. The club has to find ways and means to fund a new project but with 350 members calling the shots and being reluctant to share the spoils, the club cannot hope to raise additional money by way of new membership. The club also cannot look for private participation in funding the new project because the members do not want to lose their privileges. The club is in a total mess and has become directionless.

The time has come for people like Dr Vijay Mallya to step in and take racing forward by running racing like a corporate. The club culture is no way forward. Racing has to be run like business and not as private fiefdom of a few privileged members.