Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar today said his recent outburst against the Commonwealth Games has opened up "a can of worms" which was evident from the alleged corruption charges that has rocked the October 3-14 sporting extravaganza to be held in New Delhi.
"I have opened a can of worms. I have opened a pandora's box. Now it's for the media and others concerned to follow-up," the 69-year-old politician said of the alleged financial irregularities in various CWG related projects.
Aiyar, a stern critic of the Delhi Games, has recently created a furore by saying that he would be unhappy if the CWG are a success.
Soon after his unsavoury remarks, Aiyar pledged that he will not speak on the Games till it is over but rejected reports that he was asked by his party seniors to keep a mum on the subject.
"I want to assure you that no one from the Congress party at any level had asked me not to speak (on Commonwealth Games). It's a purely voluntary decision on my part," the former Sports Minister said.
Taking pot-shots at Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi as well as the Delhi government, Aiyar had earlier said, "Those who are patronising the Games can only be evil. They cannot be God."
{{/usCountry}}Taking pot-shots at Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi as well as the Delhi government, Aiyar had earlier said, "Those who are patronising the Games can only be evil. They cannot be God."
{{/usCountry}}His outburst sparked off a verbal slugfest with Kalmadi, who termed Aiyar's remarks as "anti-national" and "irresponsible".