Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Suresh Kalmadi passed away on Tuesday in Pune, Maharashtra, following a prolonged illness. He was 81 years old. According to a statement from his office, his mortal remains will be kept at Kalmadi House in Pune’s Erandwane until 2 PM, with the cremation scheduled at Vaikunth Smashanbhumi at 3:30 PM.

Kalmadi is survived by his wife, son and daughter-in-law, two married daughters and a son-in-law, along with his grandchildren. His passing marks the end of a long and eventful career in Indian politics and sports administration, punctuated by notable achievements as well as controversies.

Early Political Career

Suresh Kalmadi began his political journey in 1977 when he became the president of the Indian Youth Congress in Pune. By 1978, he had been elevated to the position of President of the Youth Congress for Maharashtra, a post he held until 1980. His early years in politics were closely tied to youth engagement and sports administration, reflecting his long-standing interest in athletics and organizational work.

In 1980, Kalmadi became the president of the Maharashtra Athletics Association, under whose leadership Pune hosted selection trials for Indian athletes for the Moscow Olympics. This role established him as a key figure in Indian sports administration and laid the groundwork for his later positions in national and international sports bodies.

Parliamentary Career

Kalmadi’s political career extended into national governance when he became a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1982, a position he held for three additional terms. In 1996, he transitioned to the Lok Sabha under the leadership of then-Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. During this tenure, he also served as the Minister of State for Railways from 1995 to 1996, gaining experience in administrative governance and public policy implementation.

Leadership in Indian and Asian Sports

Kalmadi’s influence in sports extended beyond politics. In 1996, he assumed the presidency of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), a position he held until 2012. During this period, he played a key role in promoting Indian athletics internationally and was instrumental in the development of sports infrastructure and talent identification programs.

He also served as the president of the Asian Athletics Association from 2000 to 2013 and was later named its Life President in 2015. Among his notable achievements was his role in bringing the Formula One Grand Prix to India in 2007, an initiative that placed India on the global motorsports map. However, controversy arose when it was revealed that the contract for the Grand Prix had been signed with India-based JPSK Sports Private Limited, and 13 percent of its shares were held by Pune-based Sulba Realty Private, a company in which Kalmadi’s son was a director.

Commonwealth Games Scandal

Suresh Kalmadi is perhaps most widely remembered for his involvement in the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) held in New Delhi, which became the center of a massive corruption scandal. The conduct of the Games, particularly its financial management and organizational oversight, came under intense scrutiny following allegations of misappropriation and irregularities.

In April 2011, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Kalmadi in the Timing-Scoring-Result (TSR) case under Sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code. He subsequently served a 10-month sentence in Tihar Jail. The scandal not only tarnished his public image but also led to his suspension from the Indian National Congress and removal from his post as president of the IOA.

Despite the controversy, Kalmadi remained a significant figure in Indian sports administration and politics, with decades of service spanning athletics, governance, and organizational leadership.

Legacy

Suresh Kalmadi’s life was marked by a dual legacy of contributions to Indian sports and political governance, alongside a high-profile controversy that overshadowed his later years. His involvement in youth politics, sports administration, and national governance highlights the scope of his influence over multiple decades.

While the Commonwealth Games scandal remains a prominent aspect of his public memory, Kalmadi’s early contributions to athletics and organizational leadership helped shape the Indian sporting landscape and fostered the development of athletes and sports infrastructure in the country.

His passing is mourned by political colleagues, sports officials, and family members, who remember him as a committed administrator, a seasoned politician, and a figure who left an indelible mark on Indian sports and governance.

Suresh Kalmadi’s life serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between politics, sports administration, and accountability in public life, illustrating both the potential for achievement and the vulnerabilities to controversy inherent in high-profile public service.