Suresh Kalmadi, former Union minister and veteran sports administrator whose career spanned politics, athletics, and nation-building initiatives, passed away early on Tuesday in Pune at the age of 81. Kalmadi’s life and work left an indelible mark on Indian politics and sports administration, though his later years were overshadowed by controversy arising from the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Early Life and Entry into Politics

Kalmadi’s career began in the Indian Air Force, where he served as a squadron leader and instructor at the National Defence Academy. He voluntarily retired in the early 1970s, marking the start of his transition from defense services to politics. In 1974, he acquired the Poona Coffee House, a hub for political discussion in Pune, with the backing of socialist leader Nilubhau Limaye, a close associate of Kalmadi’s father, Shamarao Kalmadi. This café became a platform for Kalmadi to establish influential networks that would propel his political career.

Kalmadi first came to national attention during the post-Emergency political churn when he actively protested against then-Prime Minister Morarji Desai in Pune. His vocal stance caught the eye of Congress leaders, including Sanjay Gandhi, who became a mentor, and later Rajiv Gandhi. Simultaneously, Sharad Pawar, then a rising leader in the Congress, recognised Kalmadi’s organisational acumen and entrusted him with responsibilities in Pune, appointing him as the Pune Youth Congress chief in 1977.

Political Ascent

Kalmadi’s proximity to both the Gandhi family and Sharad Pawar helped shape his political journey. When Pawar split the Congress to form Congress (S), Kalmadi assumed leadership of its youth wing, further consolidating his influence in Maharashtra politics. He served three terms in the Rajya Sabha between 1982 and 1995 and briefly again in 1998, before winning the Pune Lok Sabha seat in 1996. He was subsequently re-elected in 2004 and 2009.

Between 1995 and 1996, Kalmadi served as Minister of State for Railways in the P.V. Narasimha Rao government. During this tenure, he took pride in significant projects, including the renaming of Mumbai’s Victoria Terminus to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, an enduring symbol of India’s post-colonial identity.

Contributions to Sports and Public Life

Kalmadi’s reputation was built not only on politics but also on his deep involvement in sports administration. He led the Maharashtra State Athletics Federation and chaired the Athletics Federation of India’s selection committee before becoming president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Under his stewardship, India hosted the National Games in 1994 and the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2008, and Pune emerged as a hub for sporting activities, including the Pune International Marathon initiated in 1983.

He was widely recognised for organising large-scale events such as the Pune Festival, which combined cultural and sporting initiatives, and for bringing international sporting events to India, including the Formula One Grand Prix. Kalmadi’s administrative skills and networks helped position Pune on the global sports map.

The Commonwealth Games Controversy

Kalmadi’s career, however, faced its biggest challenge following the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. As the chairman of the Organising Committee, he was accused of corruption and mismanagement, resulting in public outrage. In April 2011, the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested him under charges related to criminal conspiracy and cheating. He served a ten-month sentence in Tihar Jail and was suspended from the Indian National Congress, alongside removal from key sports administration posts, effectively ending his public life.

In April 2025, the Delhi High Court accepted the Enforcement Directorate’s closure report in a money laundering case connected to the Commonwealth Games, officially exonerating Kalmadi and clearing him of charges that had long tarnished his legacy. Despite this, the controversy remained a defining episode of his career, underscoring both the scale of the events he managed and the scrutiny inherent in public administration.

Legacy and Personal Life

Suresh Kalmadi is survived by his wife, son and daughter-in-law, two married daughters and a son-in-law, as well as grandchildren. His life exemplified a rare blend of political acumen, organisational skill, and commitment to promoting sports in India.

Kalmadi’s legacy is a complex tapestry—while his contributions to Indian athletics and large-scale event organisation remain noteworthy, his involvement in the Commonwealth Games scandal continues to serve as a cautionary tale in governance and transparency.

His early activism, administrative initiatives, and the long tenure in both political and sports spheres reflect a career that spanned over four decades, marked by both triumphs and controversies. Suresh Kalmadi’s passing at 81 closes a chapter in India’s political and sports administration history, leaving behind lessons on leadership, ambition, and accountability in public life.

The former Union minister’s body was received at his residence in Pune, and his cremation is expected to take place at Vaikunth Smashanbhumi later in the day, with family and associates paying their final respects.