LAHORE: In the last-minute ‘coup’ on the final day of his tenure, Lahore Gymkhana Club chairman Salman Siddique retained office for another six months, after two members of the rival ‘Monopoly Breakers’ panel defected and voted for the ruling Salman-Misbah Group.

The move shattered a post-election agreement that had called for a six-month rotational chairmanship, after Feb 14 elections had ended in a 6-6 tie.

Both Salman-Misbah panel and Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera’s ‘Monopoly Breakers’ had won six seats each for the 12-member Committee of Management (CoM).

Under an agreement, a notification issued on March 4 gave Mr Siddique the chairmanship from March 4 to Aug 19. Mr Sukhera was notified as ‘chairman CoM designate’ for the second half of the term from Aug 20 to Feb 6, 2027.

Sources in the CoM told Dawn that the outgoing chairman convened a committee meeting on Wednesday with only two items on the agenda: approval of previous meeting minutes and consideration of annual earnings.

After the routine business, Mr Siddique called for voting by a show of hands. Sources say filing a vote of no confidence was the permissible way for such a move rather than going for a simple show of hands to deprive the chairman designate of his right.

In a surprise turn, besides all six members of the Salman-Misbah panel, Dr Jawad Sajid and Dr Ali Razzaque, elected on the Monopoly Breakers ticket, also voted in favour of Mr Siddique.

Mr Sukhera objected, reminding the committee of the prior agreement under which the opposition was to take charge of the CoM for the second half of the one-year term.

The meeting saw heated debate. This development later triggered outrage within the club, with members calling it a subversion of democratic norms. It may also be mentioned that Dr Ali Razzaque, the highest vote-taker, wanted to become club chairman and had said good-bye to the Salman-Misbah panel after seeing his chairmanship prospects bleak. He had emerged as a candidate for the `Monopoly Breakers’ against the Salman-Misbah panel in the Feb 14 election. He, however, also began distancing from his group leaders after Mr Sukhera was nominated as chairman designate.

Dr Jawad Sajid, sources say, had proposed Dr Razzaque as chairman candidate in the CoM’s maiden meeting but all group members became reluctant to second him as the candidate. Eventually, Mr Sukhera raised his hand to second him. However, his candidature was revoked and group leader Mr Sukhera was nominated as chairman designate.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2026