Racing controversy

The Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) headed by Dr Cyrus Poonawalla was in the eye of a storm over sheriff Vijaypat Sing­hania’s broadside against the functioning of the Club. Ironically, Singhania was himself a RWITC committee member! In a recent ­missive to the state govern­ment’s finance minister Ja­yant Patil, Sin­gha­nia had alleged that the racecourse is mafia controlled. Singhania had suggested that the 226-acre property, which belongs to the state government and is leased to the RWITC, should be sold. Racecourse land can be used to construct the world’s tallest building, develop a theme park with night safari, etc, the industrialist advocated. Part of the profits could even be used to wipe out the Government of Maharashtra’s profligate Rs 1.20 lakh crore debt! A suggestion to this effect had been made a few months ago by Ganesh Naik, Maharashtra’s minister for environment and forests though the racecourse is among the largest of Bombay’s surviving "green lungs!”

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"If he (Singhania) feels the influence of the mafia existed on the racecourse, what did he do to curtail their activities? And why did he not disclose the identity of this so-called mafia to everybody instead of quietly writing to the state government?” Poonawalla had told the Mumbai Mirror, July 27. "This action itself suggests that Singhania wanted to create serious trouble for the Club, which would have directly affected my chair. It’s okay if he wants to settle scores with me on a personal level. But isn’t it petty of him to target the institution and tarnish the sport also?”

Former RWITC chairman Khushroo Dhunjibhoy too questioned Singhania’s allegation. Ironically also, Singhania had contested the previous RWITC elections as part of the Dhunjibhoy camp against Poonawalla. During Dhunji­bhoy’s tenure as chairman, Singhania had opposed the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) the Club had signed two years ago with Pegasus Clubs and Resorts for redevelopment of the racecourse. "I don’t know what caused the change of heart,” Dhunji­bhoy is reported to have said.

Among the actions considered was the convening of an extraordinary general meeting to remove Singha­nia from the committee but the drama was brought to a close by Singhania’s resignation, as per The Times of India, August 8.