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A direct contest is in the offing between a Patiala Royal and a former defense officer for the prestigious Chandigarh Golf Club, as all other contenders decided not to file nomination on the last day of submission of nomination papers.
The two candidates who have filed their papers for the post of the club president are Malwinder Singh, brother of former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and Lt Col J S Panag (Retd). The elections are scheduled to take place on April 24.
Earlier, Punjab cadre IAS officer H I S Grewal, former Punjab DGP (Railways) S R Sharma and Col J S Kang (Retd) had announced that they will file their nomination for the post. However, while Kang did not file his nomination, Sharma filed nominations for the post of the executive member. Moreover, Grewal has been put on Assembly election duty in West Bengal.
“As Lt Col J S Panag had filed his papers, I did not want the votes of ‘defence brotherhood’ to get divided,” said Kang.
However, a few members alleged that Sharma and Kang did not file their nominations so that Malwinder could be elected unopposed.
Sharma, however, denied such allegations. “I could not muster enough support and from my team so I decided to support Malwinder’s group. I have filled my papers for the post of executive member from his group, as now, I am supporting him.”
When asked, Malwinder Singh said: “Sharma and Kang are respectable members of the club and cannot come under anybody’s influence. These allegations are baseless.”
He added: “My main poll plank will be strengthening the infrastructure of the club — it is good but needs improvement. Our course is three times better then the Delhi Golf Club but it can be made better, specially the 7th fareway. Also bar and catering, the general upkeep of the club and the staff needs a facelift. The salary of the cadies need to be increased. Such issues will be taken up in the emergency general meeting. Also, facilities like toilets and better resting rooms are needed.”
On the other hand, Panag said: “My poll plank is to bring transparency, cut down on wasteful expenditure, display seniority list and follow the roster, improve freeways and the greens, ensure that tournaments do not inconvenience the members and rationalise the charges. There is also a need to review the caddie problem. Moreover, no infrastructure work besides for parking of additional cars, needs to be undertaken.”
The two candidates who have filed their papers for the post of the club president are Malwinder Singh, brother of former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and Lt Col J S Panag (Retd). The elections are scheduled to take place on April 24.
Earlier, Punjab cadre IAS officer H I S Grewal, former Punjab DGP (Railways) S R Sharma and Col J S Kang (Retd) had announced that they will file their nomination for the post. However, while Kang did not file his nomination, Sharma filed nominations for the post of the executive member. Moreover, Grewal has been put on Assembly election duty in West Bengal.
“As Lt Col J S Panag had filed his papers, I did not want the votes of ‘defence brotherhood’ to get divided,” said Kang.
However, a few members alleged that Sharma and Kang did not file their nominations so that Malwinder could be elected unopposed.
Sharma, however, denied such allegations. “I could not muster enough support and from my team so I decided to support Malwinder’s group. I have filled my papers for the post of executive member from his group, as now, I am supporting him.”
When asked, Malwinder Singh said: “Sharma and Kang are respectable members of the club and cannot come under anybody’s influence. These allegations are baseless.”
He added: “My main poll plank will be strengthening the infrastructure of the club — it is good but needs improvement. Our course is three times better then the Delhi Golf Club but it can be made better, specially the 7th fareway. Also bar and catering, the general upkeep of the club and the staff needs a facelift. The salary of the cadies need to be increased. Such issues will be taken up in the emergency general meeting. Also, facilities like toilets and better resting rooms are needed.”
On the other hand, Panag said: “My poll plank is to bring transparency, cut down on wasteful expenditure, display seniority list and follow the roster, improve freeways and the greens, ensure that tournaments do not inconvenience the members and rationalise the charges. There is also a need to review the caddie problem. Moreover, no infrastructure work besides for parking of additional cars, needs to be undertaken.”
