For nearly two years, the club has been in limbo with reference to renewal of the lease, which expired in 2013. Civic authorities must have clear-cut communication with the RWITC, whether to confirm that they will renew the lease or to explain why they are inclined against it. Without this transparency, the lease becomes a weapon to browbeat the RWITC and hold it to ransom.

A former club chairman had said that the club had to accede to demands to have certain political rallies and meetings at the venue. He said it was not good for the club and, in fact, it disturbed the infrastructure of the racing headquarters, but with the lease pending there was little the club could do about it.

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The lease is also used as an election plank. Each aspiring chairman and committee have dangled it like a carrot in front of the club’s voter base, assuring they have enough influence to get the lease renewed.

It is time the BMC which had leased the land to the RWITC takes a stand. The powers that be must renew the agreement and dispel the cloud of doubts hanging heavy over the city’s landmark.