New Delhi:
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief and Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CWGOC), Suresh Kalmadi has clarified that he's not quitting, atleast not before the games. "I'm not quitting. The question was post-games will you quit, and I said if Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and the IOA want me to quit, then why not." (
Read: I will quit, if my leaders ask me to, says Kalmadi)
"There is no such thing as a movement, everything is on schedule. I request the cooperation of the press, without that nothing possible," Kalmadi added.
Kalmadi was speaking at a press conference where medals for the Commonwealth Games were unveiled. He clarified his comments made in an interview to a private TV channel earlier in the day. (
Read: Kalmadi unveils CWG medals, hopes windfall for Indians)
In that interview, he had said his first priority was to make a success of the Games and "will not run away from responsibility" but would quit after the event if anything was found against him. "If my leaders and IOA don't want me there, then I am ready to quit," Kalmadi said in that interview. He was asked if he would step down now in the wake of a spate of allegations of corruption in giving contracts and Kalmadi said instead of stepping aside, he would take action against those who are found guilty.
On Thursday, the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee suspended Kalmadi's close aide T S Darbari and two other tainted high-ranked officers in a desperate bid to restore its credibility. (
Read: Three Kalmadi aides suspended, Oz firm deal scrapped)
Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry today said that it too is verifying the documents to check financial irregularities in award of works related to the Commonwealth Games. (
Read: Finance Ministry checks CWG alleged corruption)
"We are only at the background ... whatever is in the public domain we are verifying ... just as other agencies are looking, just like ED and others, we are also verifying the documents, the people and other factors," CBDT Chairman SSN Moorthy told reporters on the sidelines of a tax conference.
The issue also rocked Lok Sabha today, with the entire Opposition uniting to attack the government and accusing it of allowing "loot" of public money. (
Read: Opposition unites to attack govt over CWG corruption)
Members of the BJP, JD(U), Left parties and Samajwadi Party targetted the government on the issue, with the Left demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe charges of corruption in the games projects.
(With PTI Inputs)