Former Union Minister Suresh Kalmadi Passes Away
Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Suresh Kalmadi passed away in Pune in the early hours of Tuesday. He was 81. Family members said he died after a prolonged illness while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the city. His death brings an end to a long and eventful public career spanning politics and sports administration.
Long Political Career in Parliament
Suresh Kalmadi was a prominent political figure from Maharashtra and represented Pune in Parliament over multiple terms. He served as a Union Minister of State for Railways during the 1990s and held positions in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Within the Congress party, he was known as a strong organisational leader with considerable influence in Pune and surrounding regions.
Role in Sports Administration
Apart from politics, Kalmadi played a major role in Indian sports administration. He served as the president of the Indian Olympic Association for several years and was associated with the organisation of major sporting events. He was the chairman of the organising committee for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, a tenure that drew widespread scrutiny and controversy at the time. In later years, several legal cases linked to the event were resolved without a conviction.
Tributes and Final Rites
Leaders from across political parties and the sports fraternity expressed condolences, recalling his contributions to public life. Kalmadi is survived by his family. His last rites are expected to be performed in Pune later in the day.
