Constitution Club, the MPs’ Club, was revived as a venue for political activity last week. The coming Presidential election provided an opportunity for Opposition parties to meet at the club, located close to Parliament House.
Despite a sweltering summer, political leaders turned up at the club’s Annexe Hall early afternoon. A massive turnout of journalists was already in attendance. Police security guarded the entry and exit gates of the club.
There was a rush as soon as a car entered the complex with a political leader. As there were small and big parties participating in the meeting, it was difficult to keep track of how many parties had actually joined the gathering.
The journalists with notebooks and video cameras lined up the way to the entrance of the Annexe Hall. It was nearing 3 pm when the Opposition leaders’ meeting was to start, and the heat had become unbearable.
Still, the media persons kept high morale and took breaks to send small flashes of the event to their news organisations. The Constitution Club has been a venue of political activity, conferences, and press meetings for several decades. Over the past few years, its main building has undergone a complete transformation.
Its Speaker Hall, Deputy Speaker’s Hall, and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman’s Hall have high-end furnishings now. There are luxury seminar rooms and Board Rooms. There is a billiards room and a Health Center also.