Former Union minister and seven-term Member of Parliament Suresh Kalmadi, a towering figure in Pune's political and developmental landscape, passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 82. His demise prompted an outpouring of tributes from leaders across the political spectrum, who remembered him as a visionary who was instrumental in shaping Pune's modern identity and elevating it to international standards.
A Legacy Forged from Struggle and Service
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar led the condolences, terming Kalmadi "an experienced leader" who "emerged from struggle." Pawar highlighted Kalmadi's unique journey from serving as a pilot in the Indian Air Force to carving his own space in public life. "He created his own place in politics after serving in the Indian Air Force as a pilot," Pawar stated. He credited Kalmadi with giving Pune a global identity through initiatives like the Pune Festival and the Pune International Marathon.
Pawar emphasized that throughout his long political career, Kalmadi never compromised on democratic values and consistently prioritized public service over the pursuit of power. "I pay homage to Kalmadi who left a mark in the social, political and administrative sector through his leadership and efficiency," the veteran leader added, noting their collaboration during Kalmadi's early political days.
Architects of Pune's Ascent Remember a Colleague and Rival
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was once a staunch political rival of Kalmadi, acknowledged his profound impact on the city. He recalled that Kalmadi began as a simple worker and was given an opportunity to grow by Sharad Pawar. "He never looked back in politics and grew very fast," Ajit Pawar said. He served as a Union Minister, including as the Railway Minister, but his most enduring work was for Pune.
"He was instrumental in Pune's journey and carried out development projects for the city, besides organising international events," Ajit Pawar stated. He pointed out that before making his mark in national politics in Delhi, Kalmadi held sway over the city's development for a long time through the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). "He had control over the development of the city," Ajit Pawar admitted, setting aside past rivalries.
Union Minister and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol expressed sadness, stating that Kalmadi's contributions to public life, Pune's development, and politics will always be remembered.
Cross-Party Recognition of a Development Visionary
The tributes transcended party lines, underscoring the bipartisan recognition of Kalmadi's work. State BJP minister Madhuri Misal said his vision gave Pune an identity at the national and international levels. "He will always be remembered as a leader who was connected to the public through his contributions in politics, sports, art and culture," she stated.
BJP minister Chandrakant Patil felt Kalmadi effectively used his political power to implement his vision. "By organising the Pune festival and international sports events after developing a world-class sports complex at Balewadi, he contributed a lot and was active in ensuring the city's progress till his last breath," Patil said.
State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal called the death a big loss for Pune. He addressed the controversy that had shadowed Kalmadi's later career, stating, "The Opposition levelled false allegations to defame him (over the 2010 Commonwealth Games scam) but the court cleared him of all charges." Sapkal highlighted that Kalmadi created a team of local leaders dedicated to the city's development, a legacy that continues to serve Pune.
Suresh Kalmadi is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, and grandchildren. As Pune mourns, the consensus among its political class is clear: the city lost one of its most defining architects, whose impact on its skyline and global stature remains indelible.
