Kalmadi announces 'support' to Congress Pune LS poll nominee

Pune: Ending speculations about his possible candidature as an independent after being denied Congress ticket for Pune Lok Sabha seat, sitting MP Suresh Kalmadi, under cloud for his alleged involvement in the CWG scam, today announced his “unconditional support” to official party candidate Vishwajeet Kadam. “It gives me immense pleasure to announce my support to Congress candidate Kadam in the best interest of Pune’s future development,” Kalmadi said in a statement issued in Pune.[caption id=“attachment_1450089” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Suresh Kalmadi. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] Kalmadi, who had publicly expressed his displeasure for being denied ticket for himself or his wife Meera, fuelling speculations of his entering the fray as an independent to checkmate official Congress candidate, said, “It was imperative for me to take a stand as MP elected many times from Pune.” The Congress leader, suspended from the party in April 2011 following his arrest in the CWG case, said he arrived at the decision to support Kadam after discussions he had with his supporters and various social groups in the best interest of development of Pune. Listing his achievements and work done as MP for Pune, Kalmadi, who doubled as a controversial sports administrator, said, “I have an emotional attachment with Pune and I always strove to keep the city’s name high. I am indebted to Pune and will always remain available to people in future.” PTI