The Royal Western India Turf Club Committee elections generate the kind of heat that is akin to the State elections. The elections in other turf clubs in India are subdued affairs. They rarely make the pages of newspaper and a bland announcement about who has been elected as Stewards is carried in the Press. In some turf clubs like Kolkata, Delhi and Hyderabad, the results go the way it is pre-ordained. In Bangalore Turf Club, the candidates woo the electorate right through the year, conceding many a demand of the members in the process. Parties at high end hotels are par for the event.

However, in keeping with the glamour quotient and the high profile of the contestants, the RWITC elections generate lot of buzz. With there being two distinct factions; one led by Khushroo Dhunjibhoy and the other by Vivek Jain, there is a no holds barred campaign. The campaign in the last few years has taken a turn for the worse. Also polluting the environment is the fact that a high profile trainer like Pesi Shroff had been suspended for nine months and the same was withdrawn subsequently and replaced by a fine. The acrimony that the suspension generated has certainly taken a toll on the image of the sport. The club`s elections are due on December 16 and the campaign has left a bitter trail. The protagonists have been at war of words with coverage in the media also serving to spice up the proceedings.


Mr Dhunjibhoy held a Press Conference on Friday to announce his team and release the election manifesto. Among other things, Mr Dhunjibhoy talked about reforms in the administration of racing like professional management and providing legal assistance to professionals during enquiries. Mr Dhunjibhoy also pointed out that the club had reserves of just over Rs 100 crores when social clubs like Cricket Club of India had more than three times that amount. The leader of the rival faction, Mr Vivek Jain expressed that his views ought to be taken along with the posers raised by Mr Dhunjibhoy in the interest of fair play. We juxtapose both, with Mr Dhunjibhoy posers being answered by Vivek Jain.

Dhunjibhoy: There has only been tokenism to tackle serious problems like lease of land and getting the government to reduce taxes. No concrete efforts are visible and there is no indication that the trend will change if the same committee continues to be at the helm.

Vivek Jain`s reply: Mr Dhunjibhoy proposed himself as Chairman in 2012-13, removing me as Chairman (even after getting the members` mandate) was on the ground he will activate the lease, which proved to be just another promise. I have met very senior leaders in the BJP, Shiv Sena and the BMC who have assured me that we will sit across the table soon after the Winter session of the legislature is over. No individual can obtain the extension; it is a very visible green lung in the heart of Mumbai.

Dhunjibhoy: The last one year has seen the Stewards act in a very inconsistent and biased manner as highlighted by the punishment handed out to Pesi Shroff. The decisions were taken without looking into the merits of the case but based on who the trainer trains for. Objectivity was lost and instead the mood was to prosecute and persecute those who train for those who are hostile to the ruling faction.

Vivek Jain: I disagree vehemently. We are not built to be vindictive. There are 11 Stewards and 4 honorary stipes and as far as Pesi`s punishment went a collective view was taken. The stipes who cannot have bias were near unanimous in their recommendation. The decision was taken in March when the facts available were limited. A political colour has been given when there was none. Anyways I recused myself from the fresh hearing on the same matter.

Dhunjibhoy: There is no attempt to get to the bottom of the matter despite leads indicating the involvement of one trainer in the act of conspiracy and there are no clarifications issued by the Committee members concerned whose names figure in the tapes pertaining to the conversation between trainer C D Katrak and Deepak Popat. There has been a deafening silence.

Vivek Jain: Talking to trainers is no indication of involvement as is maliciously being spread. The matter is under investigation by the crime branch and we should allow them to complete it without any pressure or involvement.

Dhunjibhoy: The approach of ruling faction is not to allow for truth to prevail by preventing a full scale investigation with club machinery completely backing the aggrieved professional. The mindset is only to punish the professionals who command high public confidence.

Vivek Jain: The Stewards have co operated with all regulatory authorities. WE DO NOT BELIEVE IN VINDICTIVENESS OR IN SETTLING SCORES by punishing professionals. What do we gain by suspending a mere trainer? The same body of Stewards waived the entire punishment when fresh facts came to light.

Dhunjibhoy: The finances of the club are presenting a scary picture and there seems to be no clear cut direction to tackle the grave crisis. Only excuses are being dished out. There is no plan of action to tackle the same.

Vivek Jain: Mr Dhunjibhoy was Chairman for more than half the year when we made this loss. The decisions his Committee took impacted the loss. Are you aware the 15 crore loss publicised for year 14/15 is being spread without any basis or fact. We are cutting expenses and raising revenue that will result in a 15 crore improvement over a twelve month period. The reserves of the Club stand at 125 crores, and during my previous tenure went up from 70 crores to 127 crores in just three years. This is the true financial strength of the RWITC.

Dhunjibhoy: Vivek Jain claims that he always takes high moral ground. Is the onus not on him to step back and clear his name before seeking a fresh mandate as to his involvement with the controversial trainer as revealed in the tapes?

Vivek Jain: I think issues of morality concern Mr Dhunjibhoy. He has not yet come clean on the 2011 alleged sabotage at Nanoli. What morality is he talking about? He has created enough noise on the Bullseye matter and I have remained largely quiet as it damages the sport and the Club, and often silence speaks louder than words, But now the time has come to hit back, and hit back I will, in spite of it being against my grain to do so. I will present a complete summary of this over publicized motivated attack on me. And if the members vote me out, I will most happily accept their verdict and “step back”, as Mr Dhunjibhoy wishes I do