New Delhi: After weeks of hectic campaigning, Bihar’s Saran MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy has defeated former Union minister Sanjeev Balyan in the election for control over the Constitution Club in Delhi, in what revealed interesting political dynamics within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The voting took place on Tuesday (August 12).

Rudy and Balyan were contesting against each other for the post of secretary (administration) at the club that caters to members and former members of the parliament.

According to a report by The Hindu, a total of 707 votes were polled, including 38 ballot votes, making it 60% of the electorate, possibly the largest ever for these polls. Rudy won by a margin of 102 votes.

Rudy, a six-time MP, commercial pilot and a former Union minister, has had a 25-year-long stint at the Constitution Club and has been greatly credited with reviving it from its dilapidated state during his tenure. 

The length of his tenure was one of the points contested by his opponents who felt that a new team should be elected for the club’s management.

The Constitution Club was inaugurated in 1965 on Rafi Marg, near the Vittalbhai Patel House which has flats for MPs. Over the years, it has held many political as well as non-political events, seminars and press conferences. It was revived in the early 2000s with more guest rooms, a spa, a gym and restaurants added to its facilities.

BJP vs BJP angle

According to The Hindu report, this year’s polls for the Constitution Club “created a kerfuffle not only because of the BJP Vs BJP angle but also because of the fervour with which campaigning was done”. During the campaigning, first-term BJP MP from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut has caused much speculation when she vaguely stated, "For the first time, it's BJP vs BJP. It is quite confusing, especially for those of us who are new members."

Apart from Ranaut’s confusion, there seemed to also have emerged clear camps among MPs. For instance, Lok Sabha MP from Jharkhand Nishikant Dubey and Anakapalli MP C.M. Ramesh campaigned for Balyan, while Congress MP Deepender Hooda appeared to be backing Rudy. 

The Hindu reported that Balyan had the support of the “senior” leadership of BJP leaders, while Rudy had the backing of a strong regional satrap of the party. Both the leaders have, however, denied these speculations.

Union home minister Amit Shah, BJP president, Union health minister J.P. Nadda and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi were among the large number of voters who turned up to participate in the polling.

Polls in the Constitution Club are usually held for four posts apart from the 11 executive committee members. While Rudy retained the secretary (administration) post, that of secretary (treasurer) was won by DMK MP P. Wilson, secretary (sports) was won by Congress MP Rajiv Shukla and secretary (culture) was secured by DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva.

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