Suresh Kalmadi arrest: Congress' loss, NCP's gain

Pune, Apr 26: It seems that Suresh Kalmadi has confronted with the worst time of his life when the investigating agency Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested him on Monday, Apr 25. The CBI took the former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CWG OC) chief under its custody over criminal conspiracy and cheating allegations during the Delhi Games.

The news of Kalmadi's arrest ashamed the Congress party and the party suspended him over dishonouring the party. But the same news might have brought a source of rejoice for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and especially Ajit Pawar, the deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Kalmadi, as a Congress party member, controlled Pune for the last 30 years. Without leaving a single inch for the opposition parties, Kalmadi brought smiles on the faces of Congress Party members. He won the Lok Sabha elections from Pune in 2004. (Kalmadi's supporters in Pune upset over arrest)

However, with the rising power of Ajit Pawar at the region, Congress lost the ground to NCP in Pune Municipal Corporation elections in 2007. The NCP led by Ajit Pawar in Pune won 41 seats to Congress' 36 seats in the 144 member civic body.

Though, the Congress did not look back with that one loss in Pune. Despite facing huddles hurled by Ajit Pawar, Kalmadi won the CYG 2008 and 2009 elections.

After Kalmadi's arrest, it seems that Ajit Pawar has gained the chance to fulfill his dream to extend his tenure in Pune and the Congress may face the toughest time in the absence of its "trump card" - Kalmadi.

OneIndia News