Sports Minister Ajay Maken directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to select a new president after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) agency arrested Suresh Kalmadi former chairman of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, and IOA chief, for alleged irregularities in the contracts awarded in the build up months for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth games.
The minister said: “Now we will ask the IOA to select a new president as its chief (Kalmadi) has been arrested and will be charge sheeted. We will ask the IOA secretary general to host the elections soon.” The sports minister’s comments came after IOA president was arrested for the alleged irregularities in the preparations for the Commonwealth Games.“It is up to the IOA to take a step for the best the interest of the country. The IOA president represents the country and somebody who is charge sheeted cannot serve the purpose. I am hopeful that sports ministry’s steps will also be backed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC),” he added.
He also said the sports ministry will consult the attorney general to see if it can take any action on its own.
“We will also take advice from our attorney general to see if we can take action on our own to conduct fresh elections in the IOA,” he said.
Kalmadi was arrested after he was questioned by the CBI on the alleged irregularities relating to contracts awarded in connection with the Commonwealth Games. Kalmadi was summoned to the CBI headquarters on April 15, but had to go out of city on that day. He was then called on April 19, but could not make it either. Yet again, he failed to appear before the CBI for questioning on April 20, saying he was unwell. Earlier Kalmadi was questioned for the alleged irregularities in hiring AM Films and AM Car and Van Hire Limited during the Queen’s Baton Relay.