Politicians’ Obsession With Bengaluru’s Clubs Continues: Minister Faults BGC For ‘Violations’; Threatens ‘Takeover’

Bangalore Golf Club (BGC) seems to be under the lens of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Bengaluru.

Deccan Herald quoted H D Revanna, Minister for Public Works Department (PWD), as saying, “We didn’t give them land so that they can run a bar and a hotel. And where’s the provision for them to construct a building? A notice was served to the club in October for which there was no response. We'll issue another notice and if need be, we will take steps to take over the club.”

Securing the land from the British Raj in 1882, Bangalore Golf Club was established. After Independence, the land has been leased every 10 years with the permission of the state government. Furthermore, Revanna added that since the club had the who’s who of Bengaluru as members, in an act of arrogance, they might have thought that permission wasn’t required to construct buildings.

The land lease will be up for renewal in 2021. He said the government was open to the idea of having the club vacated and “taken over”.

It may be recalled that a couple of years ago, Karnataka’s politicians, upset at bureaucrats and judges being given pride of place in several city clubs, tried to usurp iconic landmarks in the city such as the Balabrooie guesthouse and, thereafter, Carlton House, for an exclusive club for legislators. However, owing to heavy public opposition, the plan died out.