The Maharashtra Congress heaved a sigh of relief on Tuesday, as CWG scam-tainted sitting MP from Pune Suresh Kalmadi announced his “unconditional support” to the party’s official candidate Vishwajeet Kadam, thus ending speculation that he might contest as an Independent after the party denied him and his wife Meera a ticket to contest the poll.
Ever since the Congress denied him and wife Meera a party ticket to contest the lok Sabha polls from Pune, there was intense speculation that he might contest the polls as an Independent against the party’s official candidate. Kalmadi’s presence in the poll fray would have matters difficult for Kadam, given that the former continues to have a following among the Congress cadres and sections of people in Pune.
A three-time MP, Kalmadi was suspended from the Congress immediately after he was arrested in the CWG scam in April 25, 2011. On his part, Kalmadi had made no bones about his displeasure over the denial of party ticket to either him or his wife Meera. Knowing fully well that he would not be nominated to contest the lok Sabha polls because of the CWG scam taint he carries, Kalmadi had lobbied for a ticket to his wife. However, the nomination of Kadam as the Congress’ official candidate had unleashed speculation that he might contest the polls as an Independent.
However, in what came as a music to the ears of Kadam, Kalmadi issued a statement pledging his “unconditional support” to the Congress’ official nominee and appealing “to all” to make the latter victorious in the polls. “It was imperative for me to take a stand as the Member of Parliament who was elected many times from Pune,” Kalmadi said.
“I had many meetings with the workers for last many days. I also had consultations with many people working in social field. All of them left the final decision to me, it gives me immense pleasure to take the stand of supporting Dr. Vishwajeet Kadam and announce the same in the best interest of Pune’s future development,” Kalmadi said in his statement.
“Pune’s development has always remained my passion and our Pune, which is turning more and more cosmopolitan, is fast heading towards becoming a globe city…Development is a perpetual process and I expect that Dr Vishwajeet Kadam will also maintain speed of Pune’s development,” Kalmadi said, as he listed his achievements as a Pune MP for three terms. “I have an emotional attachment with Pune. I always strove to keep Pune’s name high. I am indebted to Puneites. I always received love and affection from Puneites. I will remain available even in future to the Puneites,” Kalmadi said.
Kalmadi’s announcement of “unconditional support” to Kadam notwithstanding, there is still apprehension in a section of the local Congress circles that he might covertly sabotage the chances of the Congress’ official candidate from Pune. “On one hand, he does not want to rub the Congress leadership the wrong way at this juncture. At the same time, it is not in Kalmadi’s interest that Kadam gets elected from Pune. Kadam becoming a Pune would mean Kalmadi’s political career would take a backseat. Therefore I would not be surprised, if Kalmadi will covertly work against Kadam in the polls,” a senior Congress functionary who has known Kalmadi for years said.
Thirty-three-year-old Kadam is the State Youth Congress chief and son of senior State Congress Minister Patangrao Kadam. He will be taking on the BJP’s Anil Shirole, Deepak Paigude of the MNS and AAP’s Subhash Shankarao Ware in the polls.