Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Suresh Kalmadi passed away on Monday, June 23, 2024, at a private hospital in Pune. He was 78 years old. The veteran politician had been battling health issues for an extended period.
A Political and Sporting Legacy
Suresh Kalmadi was a prominent figure in Indian politics for decades, representing the Pune constituency in the Lok Sabha multiple times. He served as a Union Minister in the government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Beyond politics, Kalmadi was a central figure in Indian sports administration, most notably as the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
His tenure as the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi remains a significant, though controversial, chapter in his career. The event was a major sporting milestone for India but was later marred by allegations of financial irregularities.
Career Highlights and Controversies
Kalmadi's political journey saw him win the Pune Lok Sabha seat in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2004. He held the position of Minister of State for Railways in the UPA government. His deep involvement in sports administration included long-standing leadership roles in athletics and Olympic bodies.
However, his association with the 2010 Commonwealth Games led to serious legal troubles. He was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2011 concerning corruption cases related to the Games. After spending nearly nine months in judicial custody, he was released on bail. The legal proceedings continued for years, casting a long shadow over his later career.
Reactions and Final Rites
News of his demise prompted reactions from across the political spectrum. The Congress party acknowledged his passing, with senior leaders expressing their condolences. Kalmadi had been inactive in active politics in recent years, largely due to his declining health.
His final rites are expected to be conducted in Pune, the city he represented and called home for much of his life. He is survived by his family, including his wife and children. His death marks the end of an era for a politician who was both celebrated for his contributions to sports and scrutinized for the controversies that followed.
The passing of Suresh Kalmadi closes a complex chapter in India's political and sporting history, reminding many of the highs of hosting an international sporting spectacle and the subsequent lows of scandal and legal battle.
