Suresh Kalmadi to stay away from IOA, but not resign as president

New Delhi: Suresh Kalmadi, accused in the Commonwealth Games scam, will stay away from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for the time being.

However, CNN-IBN has learnt that he will not resign from the post of president.

Kalmadi's continuing involvement as the IOA president has drawn much flak. Now, CNN-IBN has access to a letter written by the man himself on January 3.

The letter says, "I have not been in a position to look after the affairs of the Indian Olympic Association for the last 9 months and as things stand, I will not be representing the IOA. Under the circumstances, I want to inform you that, as mine is going to be a prolonged absence, I will not be taking part in the IOA activities for a long time."

The letter has been forwarded to the International Olympic committee, which has been pressurising the IOA to take action against Kalmadi. But why doesn't Kalmadi just quit?

"Why should we discuss that? Our work is already for the last 9 months going on smoothly, it will go on smoothly, and everybody must now work for a good Olympic games where India should have better results. So that should be the motive," said Tarlochan Singh, vice president, IOA.

Shunned by his political masters, the IOA position is Kalmadi's only hope of staying in the limelight. The public perception remains against him and protests outside his home in Pune are another reminder of how the one time high flier has slipped.

"The system should be in place that any such person who has been at the helm of affairs for more than a particular period, beyond which vested interests develop normally, he should not be allowed to continue," said Ajay Maken, Sports Minister.

The status quo suits both Kalmadi and the IOA which has dragged its feet on taking action against him. With Kalmadi loyalists enjoying majority in the house, even the 1/3rd signatures required to initiate action against him is a tall order.

"You need a majority to take a decision to throw him out. In the general body, there are people who are supporting him. He knows that he is the president of the IOA, and he commands the majority of the house," said R K Anand, president, Jharkhand Olympic Association.

IOA sources say Kalmadi has pulled off a smart move by effectively going on a leave of absence. He would have been on sticky wicket if he continued to function as president with corruption charges still hanging in the air. However, the door remains ajar with elections scheduled for September 2012.

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