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While the contest remained close in the early rounds, momentum shifted sharply when the opposition bloc consolidated its support behind Rudy
After 25 rounds of counting, Rajiv Pratap Rudy (L) received 354 votes while Balyan secured 290. Rudy also secured 38 postal ballots, bringing his total to 392 and winning by a margin of 102 votes. (Image: Sourced/X)
In one of the most fiercely contested elections at the Constitution Club of India (CCI), BJP leaders Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Sanjeev Balyan vied for the post of secretary (administration), with counting extending past midnight. Celebrations erupted at the club around 2 am, as after 25 rounds of counting, Rajiv Pratap Rudy received 354 votes while Balyan secured 290. Rudy also secured 38 postal ballots, bringing his total to 392 and winning by a margin of 102 votes.
Speaking after his victory, the former union minister who served in both the Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi governments said, “People have gone beyond party barriers and voted for my team and me. The work we have done over the last two and a half decades has finally been recognised by the voters who matter, leading us to victory.”
The contest drew significant attention, with notable figures from across the political spectrum turning up to vote—from union home minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.
A total of 707 votes were cast, with around 15 declared invalid, leaving 692 valid votes, including 37 postal ballots. While the contest remained close in the early rounds, momentum shifted sharply when the opposition bloc consolidated its support behind Rudy. Sources said Sonia Gandhi personally assured Rudy of Congress backing, while Samajwadi Party leaders were similarly urged to support him.
“The consolidation of opposition votes was crucial to Rudy’s win,” a senior source observed.
BJP’s top leadership had supported Balyan, contesting his first CCI election eight years after becoming a member. Rudy, meanwhile, brought over 25 years of experience in club management. Balyan had strong support from Jat leaders and regional heavyweights from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, while Rudy enjoyed backing from the influential Thakur lobby.
In addition to the post of secretary (administration), 14 members contested the elections for 11 executive member posts. Former MP Pradeep Gandhi from the BJP won with the highest margin of 507 votes, and former Congress MP Jasbir Singh Gill secured the second-highest margin with 502 votes. Other members elected to the executive committee include Trinamool Congress member of Parliament Prasun Banerjee, former BJD MP Kalikesh Singh Deo, Congress MP from Haryana Deepender Singh Hooda, senior RSP lawmaker NK Premachandran, Samajwadi Party MP Akshay Yadav, Shiv Sena MP Srirang Appa Barne, former BJP MP Naresh Agarwal, and Pradeep Kumar Verma, Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand for the BJP.
Founded by members of the Constituent Assembly, the CCI has long been more than just a social space—it is a political arena where alliances are forged and influence is tested. This year’s contest, pitting seasoned experience against fresh political energy, turned into a gripping political drama.
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