It is hard to figure out just whose side the high-profile poll campaigner Prashant Kishor is on at any given time. As part of his push for a Hindutva cultural heritage agenda, on Diwali, a performance on the return of Ram to Ayodhya was enacted at the club.
Recently, an expert called to speak was disinvited as the administrator felt his views were unfriendly towards the government. Pathak has formed several sub-committees to focus on what he terms ‘India First’ programmes and has even started vetting speakers for debates. In a letter to the members, he said that he would like to re-invent the image of the 108-year-old premier watering hole, known for its winter buffet lunches, Thursday night mixers, chicken sandwiches, tennis tournaments and active bridge room. Pathak assumes his job requires more than simply running the club on a day-to-day basis. In May, a new administrator, Om Pathak, an elderly retired IAS officer, took charge. Earlier this year, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal ordered the suspension of the elected general committee of the elite Delhi Gymkhana Club and directed the government to appoint an administrator till allegations against an earlier general committee were investigated.