Kalmadi says denying him ticket is unjust, gives Cong two days to decide

Pune: Sulking after being denied Pune Lok Sabha seat renomination, sitting Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi today said he will announce his decision on contesting the polls in the next two days, even as Congress leaders tried to seek his support for the official candidate Vishwajeet Kadam.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Kalmadi even said the denial of a ticket for him or for his wife was an injustice meted out to him by the party. He said there were others on the Congress list of candidates with serious charges against them including murder. He refused to confirm whether he would contest as an independent, but said there is a need for a Brahmin candidate in Pune.

Kalmadi, who was closeted with his supporters at his residence to discuss the future course of action, said his consultations with them were still inconclusive and would continue tomorrow.

When contacted, Kalmadi, who had been suspended from the party following the CWG scam, confirmed that Maharashtra minister Harshawardhan Patil (Congress) had called on him today seeking his support for the party's official candidate and state Youth Congress president Vishwajeet Kadam.

Kalmadi said at least his wife should have got a ticket. AFP

"He sought my support. I told him I would abide by my supporters' opinion," Kalmadi told PTI.

About his meeting with Kalmadi, Patil said, "we have requested him to involve his supporters in the election campaign of Kadam."

Asked whether he wanted Congress high command to nominate his wife Meera for the Pune seat in view of the CWG scam allegations against him, Kalmadi replied in the affirmative.

"If not me because of the so-called scam, my wife could have been given the ticket in my place. I had told the high command to consider my wife's nomination as she is an active member of the party engaged in social work in slums," he said.

When asked why his wife too was not considered for the seat, he said "I do not know."

"I will announce my decision on contesting the polls in the next two days," the MP said.

Kalmadi also said that during today's discussions, many of his supporters wanted the high command to revoke his suspension effected after his arrest in the CWG case in 2011.

Meanwhile, NCP leader and state deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, a known Kalmadi detractor, today held a joint meeting of Congress and NCP workers at Congress Bhavan to chalk out election strategy to ensure the victory of Kadam, who enjoys a close rapport with the NCP leadership.

Kalmadi, a three-time MP from Pune, is still considered a heavyweight in city politics with his strong base of supporters in the civic body.

With PTI