The party’s top leaders are tight-lipped about Pune MP’s political future; jubilant scenes at Congress Bhavan sharp contrast to deserted scene at MP’s bungalow.
Even as the top echelons of Pune Congress maintained a sphinx-like silence regarding the possible political future of the tainted city MP Suresh Kalmadi, Congress workers in the city celebrated the release on bail of their leader by distributing sweets and bursting crackers at the Congress Bhavan on Thursday.
The arrest of Kalmadi by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), for his alleged involvement in the multi-crore Commonwealth Games (CWG) scam, in April last year had thrown the city Congress unit into turmoil. The MP had been consistently leading the party in the city for many years.
Known for organising large-scale sports and cultural events, Kalmadi had managed to rule over the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) with his band of loyalists.
However, post his arrest, his one-time ardent votaries had distanced away from Kalmadi. With the civic elections knocking on the door, the party workers claimed that the release of Kalmadi would better the party’s chances. Incidentally, the interviews for hopefuls started at the Congress Bhavan on Thursday.
The jubilant scenes at the Congress Bhavan were a sharp contrast to the deserted scenario at the bungalow of the MP in Erandwane.
Minister for forests and rehabilitation, Patangrao Kadam, and minister for cooperative, Harshavardhan Patil, were guarded in their replies.
“As of now, Kalmadi stands suspended from the party and the decision to revoke his suspension would be taken by the party high command,” they said.
Both the leaders denied of any recommendations for revoking the suspension been sent by the city committee.
When asked about the celebrations at Congress Bhavan, they said, “He has done a lot for the party and obviously people are happy.”
Sources close to Kalmadi told DNA that the leader might make a decision about his return to Pune on Friday.
“He and his supporters are wholeheartedly with the Congress, and will work for the party in the upcoming civic polls. Kalmadi is peeved about with the frontal attack launched on him by NCP leader Ajit Pawar and would work to ensure the defeat of the NCP in the civic polls,” the sources said.
A senior Congress leader told DNA that although Kalmadi would not be actively participating in the electioneering process, his influence would be felt, particularly in the allocation of tickets.
“With the elections in Uttar Pradesh around the corner, the party high command, will not take any decision that would be seen as condoning corruption. Also, if Kalmadi is seen actively campaigning in Pune, it would be a major cause of embarrassment for the party as he has not been exonerated in the graft cases yet,” he said.
Given the catch-22 situation, most Congress leaders would shy away from being spotted with Kalmadi openly.
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