Kalmadi's opponent in Pune Congress hails his suspension

The swift action by Congress high command in suspending Suresh Kalmadi, the city Lok Sabha MP arrested in the Commonwealth Games scam, was today welcomed by senior partyleader Mohan Joshi, who has been leading the anti-Kalmadi camp here for many years.

"We welcome the high command's action which shows that party President Sonia Gandhi will not compromise on the issues of corruption," Joshi, an MLC, said.

Joshi, who was in race for the Congress ticket in last Lok Sabha poll from Pune but could not outwit the high-profile politician in his bid, said "Kalmadi's suspension will not affect the city Congress which will contest the upcoming civic polls unitedly under my leadership and with greater strength."

The suspension of Kalmadi came as big blow to the present Pune city Congress chief Abhay Chhajed, who is known as a staunch supporter of the now disgraced MP.

Chhajed said Kalmadi's arrest would adversely affect the party's campaign for the Pune Municipal Corporation elections slated for early next year.

He hoped that the former Union minister would again provide leadership after acquitting himself in the ongoing investigation related to the multi-crore Commonwealth Games scam.