Kalmadi hits back at Maken, calls for his resignation

Expelled chief of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and Lok Sabha member, Suresh Kalmadi, accused sports minister Ajay Maken of launching a vilification campaign against him and demanded his immediate resignation. HT reports.

Expelled chief of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and Lok Sabha member, Suresh Kalmadi, accused sports minister Ajay Maken of launching a vilification campaign against him and demanded his immediate resignation.

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A day after a Delhi court allowed Kalmadi to travel to London for the Olympics, Makan had stated that Kalmadi should not take the trip unless he clears the corruption charges levelled against him.

Kalmadi said, “I am shocked and surprised at Maken’s reaction. How can he say this when the court has given me permission.. This is contempt of court and the Prime Minister should take immediate action against him.”

He added that he was a council member of the International Athletics Association and continued to be president of the Indian Olympics Association. Maken, however, declined to comment, saying that he would not like to respond to a person who has been chargesheeted by the CBI and suspended by Congress party on corruption charges.

The IOA, on its part, sought to steer clear of the raging controversy and clarified that Kalmadi was not a part of its official delegation.

"Suresh Kalmadi, MP is not a member of the IOA delegation to London Olympics. Indian contingent for the Games was finalised a month ago and Mr Kalmadi does not figure in it," said acting president VK Malhotra.