BJP vs BJP: Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Sanjeev Balyan locked in a close contest for key Constitution Club post

Voting is underway for the election to the post of secretary of the Constitution Club of India in Delhi.

This election is interesting as BJP’s seven-time MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy is facing a challenge from the party’s former MP Sanjeev Balyan.

For the past 25 years, Rajiv Pratap Rudy has been elected unopposed to this position, but this time Balyan’s challenge has made the contest exciting. Members across parties, including BJP, Congress, SP, AAP, CPI, Shiv Sena (UBT) among others arrived to cast their votes.

“This election is distinct from party politics. It is a platform for MPs and former MPs. We all gather here and discuss matters for the country above party lines, so this election should not be linked to parties,” said Sanjeev Balyan.

Speaking on the election, BJP MP Biplab Kumar Deb said, “Any new initiative is always for the better. I have never voted here before; this is my first time at the Constitution Club, and it’s a new experience for me. The candidates from both panels are my friends, and both are MPs or former MPs. I congratulate both and hope the club runs well.”

Meanwhile, former BJP MP Smriti Irani stated, “The excitement I am seeing in the Constitution Club elections is something I have never witnessed even in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha elections. Choosing leaders from among leaders is a big challenge for the club members, but I am glad to witness this democratic process. Voting is secret and done quietly, and I have also cast my vote.”

In the history of the Constitution Club, elections have been held only three times so far. Today’s election is the fourth. Earlier, elections were held in 2009, 2014 and 2019.

This time too, no elections were held for the positions of sports secretary, cultural secretary and treasurer. Rajeev Shukla has been elected unopposed as sports secretary, T Shiva as cultural secretary, and Jitendra Reddy as treasurer. The Constitution Club has 1,200 members, all of whom are current or former Members of Parliament.