High turnout, e-voting as 4 big city clubs go to polls
Times of India | 5 October 2024
Kolkata: High voter turnouts and members even logging in from abroad to cast their votes online, several top Kolkata clubs saw some closely fought contests over the past couple of weeks. While most maintained status quo, a few have ushered in a change at the helm. Saturday Club, CCFC, Hindustan Club and Calcutta International Club had their polls in the past few days while the ones like Dalhousie Institute await their term.
Out of 1,700 voter-members, 1,350 had voted in Calcutta Cricket and Football Club (CCFC). The turnout in Hindustan Club has also been over 75%. CCFC’s newly elected president Saurav Chatterjee said: “The turnout was high. But more importantly, members had logged it from even abroad to cast their votes online. This only reinforces the attachment the members have with their club,” he said. Chatterjee was backed by Vaes Paes and his son Leander Paes. But the elections were not easy. It was closely fought and with some issues often reaching courts. “Yes, there were some legal issues. But they were addressed,” Chatterjee said, adding he will take inputs from everyone to manage the club affairs.
Status quo was maintained with committees representing continuity and ‘club legacy’ winning in all the recently held elections. The only exception was Hindustan Club.
Hindustan Club’s newly elected president Rishab Kothari was forthright. “In many Kolkata clubs, leadership roles have often been held by the same group of individuals for years. While this continuity brings stability, it can also lead to complacency, with a lack of fresh perspectives and innovation in addressing members’ needs. Club members today are seeking more — whether it is enhanced facilities, improved services or new culinary experiences — and this growing call for change is unmistakable,” he said, adding: “Our team, aptly named ‘The Changemakers’, was built on the promise of delivering that much-needed transformation. The overwhelming mandate we received is a testament to how deeply the idea of change resonated with our members.”
At Calcutta International Club, it was unanimity. Suborno Bose, the newly elected president, said: “I am extremely humbled and honoured to be selected as the president of the most iconic and heritage club of Kolkata in its centenary year unopposed. I am confident that with the support of our esteemed members, committee members and colleagues and the past presidents we will take CIC to newer height in its 100th year.”
The Saturday Club, in its AGM on Sep 25, also elected its new general committee and balloting committee members. Sanish Magon now takes over as the general committee president and Kaustuv Bose joins him as the club vice-president.
The Dalhousie Institute is preparing for its elections in a few days. Since 2005, the elections in the club have always been an unanimous affair, said senior office-bearer Jayajit Biswas.