By IANS,
New Delhi: A defiant Suresh Kalmadi blasted the sports ministry Monday saying that his removal as the chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and executive board was illegal and arbitrary.
In a strongly worded letter to new Sports Minister Ajay Maken, Kalmadi said he was shocked to receive the order despite cooperating fully with all the investigating agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Kalmadi said he will hand over the charge to Organising Committee chief executive Jarnail Singh, but under protest.
“I am shocked to receive Order dated 24th January, 2011, illegally and arbitrarily removing me from the position of chairman of the Executive Board and the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games. At the outset, it is important for me to point out that I have extended all possible cooperation to all the investigating agencies, including the CBI,” Kalmadi said.
“Without prejudice to my rights and contention and in furtherance of my letter dated 25th January, 2011, wherein it has been stated that the order dated 24th January, 2011, is illegal and without any jurisdiction, I am handing the charge under protest,” he said.
Kalmadi, who is also the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), said the Organising Committee is an autonomous body registered under the Societies Registration Act and he can only be removed in accordance with the constitutional documents of the society.
“I must also point out that the OC is an autonomous society registered under the Societies Registration Act. As the chairman of the Society, I can only be removed in accordance with the constitutional documents of the society,” he said.
“Further, I was elected as chairman of the Organising Committee by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) General Assembly on November 1, 2004. The IOA is an independent, autonomous body and as per the Olympic Charter must remain free from government interference. It is also relevant to point out that as per the Host City contract for the Commonwealth Games, it is the responsibility of the IOA to establish the OC,” he said.
Kalmadi said the letter of his sacking was without any jurisdiction as the sports ministry is not legally empowered to remove him.
“The order dated 24th January, 2011, has been clearly issued as a knee-jerk reaction to the prejudice created by certain sections of the media,” he said.
Kalmadi went on to add that the Organising Committee is being unfairly singled out and its budget was less than five percent of the total expenditure on the Commonwealth Games.
“We worked hard to bring the Commonwealth Games to India for the first time. Despite the adverse publicity, we ensured the participation of all 71 countries. I am proud that we not only conducted and hosted a successful event, but India also delivered a stellar performance and won a record number of medals in the Commonwealth Games.”
“I am anguished that instead of being commended for my efforts at putting up such a spectacular show, the OC is being unfairly singled out and that I have been served with a decision of this nature,” said Kalmadi, adding that he would have resigned if the ministry had asked him.
Kalmadi, a member of Parliament from Pune, said he was saddened that the sports minister took the decision to relieve him of his responsibilities without hearing him out.
“I have a long and distinguished career in public service and sports administration. I served the Indian Air force for 10 years, including during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars as an Air Force Pilot. Having spent several decades in public life, I would not be unjustified in expecting at least the courtesy of being heard and a decision being taken in accordance with the principles of natural justice,” he said.
The sports ministry Monday sacked Kalmadi and Organising Committee secretary-general Lalit Bhanot following concerns by the CBI that they were hindering the “impartial investigation” into the allegations of financial irregularities in holding the sporting event last year.
The CBI is probing irregularities in the award of contracts during the Queen’s Baton Relay ceremony in London in October 2009 as also wrongdoing in awarding a contract of Rs.107 crore for procuring timing equipment for the athletics event of the Games.