New Delhi, May 11: The Constitution Club, once used for brainstorming by the statute's writers and now a venue near Parliament where leaders unwind, will be open to former MPs.

The estate committees of both Houses of Parliament have cleared a plan that aims to remodel the historic club and turn a section of it into a hotel for former MPs. Sources said they would be charged subsidised rates of Rs 1,000 per night - a fraction of the market prices.

Members of the public, the aam aadmi, will be able to check in too, depending on availability, at tariffs of Rs 5,000-Rs 7,000, giving the club an additional source of revenue, the sources said. MPs and ex-MPs will get priority, though.

"Former MPs would have a better place to stay when they are in the capital," said V.P. Badnore, the chairman of the Rajya Sabha committee. He clarified it would be a "short-stay option".

The club, built in February 1947 with the "objectives & purposes of fostering social contacts and providing amenities of a club life for the members of the Constituent Assembly" now boasts a state-of-the-art gym, restaurant, pool and a high-end salon.

The proposal to extend the facilities to former MPs was mooted by the secretary-general of the club, BJP minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

The club doesn't have any rooms for guests now. Around 40 rooms will be taken from the Vithal Bhai Patel House, an adjoining building that houses MPs' flats, and connected to the club in the revamp.#

A few days ago, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury was heard ruing the loss of the club as a cultural hub.

But Yechury's party colleague Hannan Molla, a former club treasurer, suspected an attempt at "commercialisation". "Their (former MPs') problem is genuine... they don't have any place to stay. However, I had no idea this was turning into a commercial venture. That was not the plan. This government wants to sell everything."