Yesterday, this newspaper carried an extensive report about a slapping incident at a prominent Haji Ali club. In the report, it was stated that a club member was slapped by another when the counting of ballots was on. There was a kerfuffle following that, but matters seem to have settled when the two gents shook hands. The controversy though, flared again when members filed complaints against each other at a police station.

Election drama now seems to be de rigueur at clubs across Mumbai. With the stakes higher than ever, members are vying to be on club committees, and battles erupt over choosing presidents and chairmen of club. We have seen so many cloak and dagger exchanges during club elections, mud-slinging, rumour mongering and fights that these make national elections look like a teddy bear's picnic, in the words made famous by a former celebrity for different reasons altogether. Club matters are no longer 'in-house' or behind closed doors. The strong social media network, status of club members and an interest in club matters in mainstream media means they have become institutions of public interest and discourse.