Suresh Kalmadi: Sai, SAI, sigh!

8

Tweet

I come from the same school as Suresh Kalmadi and have spent a large part of my life in Pune, a city he has a very strong connect with.

With due apologies to everyone associated with St Vincent's High School, I can't help but join in the chorus asking for Kalmadi's head to be put on the chopping block. My reasons, though, have little to do with the Commonwealth Games.

But before I launch into a venomous attack, I must clarify that my allegations aren't substantiated. At best, they represent what many Puneites suspect anyway.

Known to have a keen interest in sports, Kalmadi should really spend most of his time worrying about the goings on in the Sports Authority of India (SAI). But his actual interest lies in Sai Service, a dealership of Bajaj Auto and Maruti Suzuki in Maharashtra and Goa. What's wrong with running a business and being involved in politics, one might ask. Nothing, provided you don't misuse your public office for personal gain.

One theory doing the rounds is that Kalmadi, an MP from Pune, is single-handedly responsible for the traffic and pollution that has led to the city's downfall in the last two decades. For long known as a pensioner's paradise, Pune has degraded into a smoggy metro, much like Delhi in the '90s. Critics say Rahul Bajaj (chairman of India's highest valued two-wheeler company) and Kalmadi have colluded to sabotage the local public transport system. The result: Pune has the largest number of two-wheelers being used as means of transport by a population of about five millions. The winners: Sai Service and Bajaj Auto.

Why, then, does the city vote him to power? For one, Kalmadi has the unique ability of connecting with the masses and classes. He is eloquent in Marathi and English and has brought major sporting events to Pune. Way back in 1983 he started the Pune International Marathon (in terms of organisation, it somehow manages to get worse with every passing year). In 1994 he brought the National Games to Pune, and in 2008 the Commonwealth Youth Games were held in the city. From common citizens to sportsmen, everyone has a horror tale to tell about his pet events.

Present-day allegations of irregularities and corruption don't surprise Kalmadi-bashers like me one bit. I'm only hoping he isn't sacked from his position in the Indian Olympic Association and the Commonwealth Games organising committee. Because if he is, it will mean he has more time to ruin my city.

Disclaimer: I own a car purchased from Sai Service. I'm looking to sell it to someone in Kalmadi's team for a price 10 times the market value.