The survival of the BTC depends on passing the resolution to appease the government by way of granting all these 50 memberships to its nominees. There are many groups who are against the resolution. It is a herculean task for everyone interested in the welfare of the sport to bring about a consensus to ensure that the resolution goes through by a 3/4ths majority. The concerted efforts of all sections of the racing fraternity including racehorse owners, trainers, jockeys and the members of the club who are avid racegoers, is required to convince the majority. Much time has been lost in negative energy. Very little is achieved by taking an aggressive posture against the Chief Minister of the State who has mandated this from the club. The grim reality is that the club members have no other go but to vote for the resolution unless the destructive streak gets the better of the members.

The Bangalore Turf Club has already lost about 60 days of racing activity resulting in the loss of more than Rs 10 crores. This loss is bound to affect the stake money offered for winter racing. Already the daily wage employees have been left to despair. The professionals are better off because as of now they are not affected as there is a break in the season and the winter season is due to start in November. Their loss thus far has been minimal though they are at their wit`s end, despairing as to what is in store for them if the deadlock persists. They have nowhere to go because the other turf clubs can only accommodate only a minority. The majority will be in trouble.

Chairman of the Bangalore Turf Club Harimohan Naidu said that permission which the club had sought from the government under Article 60 to amend the Articles of the Association for purpose of increasing the membership has been received. ``We need 21 clear days for the special general body meeting to be called. This in effect means November 15 or 17 could be the probable day,`` he added. We hope that our members cooperate and ensure that the resolution is passed so that we can end the impasse, he said.

Majority of the race going members are all for giving in to the demand of the government though they may have issues about the way it should be given. A section of the members believes that the club should increase the membership by 150, giving the other 100 to different branches of the racing fraternity at a cost of Rs 15 lakh each. Since the club has written only for the increase of 50 membership, this school of thinking has no place in the present scheme of things. The members don`t want their monopoly to end totally by the influx of so many members. There are others who believe that membership should be offered to government nominees at a considerable cost so that the club benefits financially. With so many ideas flying all around, there is the attendant muddled thinking. The BTC still has several modalities to be worked. It would be interesting to see how the resolution is worded. This is also of critical importance.

As has been widely discussed, the substantial chunk of voters from Chickmagalur and Coorg have not taken kindly to the move to increase membership. Though most of these members are not active participants, they don`t want to squander the privileges. The value of membership is grossly exaggerated because it is not easily available. If the membership is thrown open to people capable of paying a big amount, the clamour for membership is bound to go away. The membership in other clubs like RWITC is available by paying about Rs 10 lakhs and the club has had no problem arising out of the substantial increase in membership. By restricting the membership, there has been unnecessary hype. The membership no doubt gives privileges, but they are more useful to racegoers. The present system benefits the absentee members because they are pampered during elections to membership by way of extravagant parties.

It`s hard to find a good resolution as it`s not black and white. It is a big fog of grey. Proper information is the solution to the resolution of the problem that has confronted the club threatening its 150-year existence. The solution must be found before long.

The members thus have a huge responsibility on their shoulders to make or destroy the institution.