A day after Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi returned to Pune after his release from Tihar Jail, he took a dig at Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar without naming him.
Reacting to Kalmadi's return to the city, Pawar had quipped on Friday whether it was the return of a wrestler who has won a big competition. Kalmadi on Sunday issued a press note saying, "Inspite of knowing that I have not come to Pune after wining any event or competition, the citizens of Pune gave me a rousing welcome. In my 30-35 years of political life, I have taken all sections of the society together, which was being reflected by the Puneites."
Instead of making a public appearance, Kalmadi chose to remain closeted at his spacious house in Erandwane, meeting supporters to take stock of the situation and calling up those who have rebelled against the Congress.
Expressing faith in the judiciary and comparing his condition with that of former chief minister, AR Antulay, Kalmadi said, "I have full faith in the judiciary and I am sure that I will get justice. The law states that a person is innocent till proven guilty."
"It reminds me about barrister AR Antulay on whom many allegations were made. After a fair trial he was acquitted," he further said.
Kalmadi also promised to "continue to remain in the forefront of Pune's development".
Meanwhile, the scene outside his residence was unusually calm.
While mediapersons wanted him to speak, his supporters made a beeline to meet him. However, Kalmadi remained closeted inside the house except for the evening when he went out to some undisclosed place.
Throughout the day, he received his supporters and talked to the ones who could not come to meet him over the phone.
Among those who visited his house were MLA Vinayak Nimhan, who is known for his close relations with Narayan Rane, former minister of state for home and a sworn Kalmadi supporter, Ramesh Bagve, city congress chief Abhay Chhajed, Congress leader in the Pune Municipal Corporation, Aba Bagul, deputy mayor Prasanna Jagtap, Deepak Mankar, Kamal Vyavahare and Balasaheb Amrale.
To his supporters, Kalmadi assured that they had no reason to worry. "I am back in Pune and I am back in action. You don't have to worry," Kalmadi told one of the sitting corporators.
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