'Race' to clock attendance

Vijay Shirke at the racecourse

For the first time in a century, the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) centres in both Mumbai and Pune have started the biometric system of attendance. This is a record of the attendance of members at the racecourse, which has come into effect from the start of the Pune season in July and will go on till October 22.

It is also in effect at Mahalaxmi (when there is off course betting on Pune races) in Mumbai. It will also be in operation during the Mumbai racing season, which begins in the third week of November and goes on till April next year.

The new system
The system has been put in place because a new order by the state government states that RWITC club members have to clock 15 per cent attendance at the races collectively, in Pune and Mumbai, to be eligible to vote in the club's elections in 2017.

Crowds at Mahalaxmi Racecourse on Derby day

The order was pushed by RWITC stewards' body govt nominee Vijay Shirke. It was strongly opposed by current RWITC chairman Vivek Jain. Shirke said, "I am happy this system has been implemented. The biometric machines at the centres are excellent. Over the years, we have seen that out of the 2,000-odd members barely 400 to 500 attend racing regularly, the others do not know anything or anybody at the racecourse. These members, who never attend, then arrive on voting day and cast their vote on the basis of what their friends have told them. They are influenced on whom to support, rather than genuine candidates, who want to do good for the club."

A tale of revenge?
There is buzz that Shirke wielded influence with the state government to bring in this order in a tit-for-tat against Jain. In 2015, Jain had gone to the government to lobby to impose a Code of Conduct prior to the elections that year. One aspect of that Code of Conduct stated: 'No person, or his/her relatives, standing for elections to the RWITC committee shall offer free drinks, cocktail, dinner, refreshment, meal at the office or on the premises of RWITC.

Also, hosting a cocktail party with the intent of inducing a vote/voter, or arranging parties or functions or giving gifts or donations during the period should be strictly considered as a violation of the code of conduct'. At that time, Shirke's group had been upset over the same.

Shirke denied that it was an ego battle. "I had sent a letter to the state government in 2014 about 15 per cent attendance; the no party code of conduct came later, this has nothing to do with that." Club insiders though insist it is a case of hitting back. Jain said the members are contemplating going to court against the attendance order, but refused to spell out details.