CWG: Suresh Kalmadi too wants a JPC probe

New Delhi, Feb 21: Citing the possibility of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe in the 2G spectrum scam, opposition parties have started demanding that the same be conducted in the Common Wealth Games (CWG) and the Adarsh Housing scams. However, the most surprising move has been made by the sacked CWG organising chief, Suresh Kalmadi. Now, Kalmadi too has joined the opposition demanding a JPC inquiry in the CWG scam.

"... it would only be fair if a similar process of Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) should go into the entire range of issues connected with preparations, executions and conduct of Commonwealth Games (CWG)," claimed Kalmadi on Feb 20.

The former CWG chief also stated, "I am confident that this (JPC) would enable the entire truth to emerge in the public domain."

However, the present agency that is investigating the games' irregularities, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has reportedly recovered an email in which London-based AM Films' owner Ashish Patel claimed to have paid Kalmadi's men £50,000.

According to sources, there is no sustaining evidence to this email and they (the CWG Organising Committee officials) are waiting for reply of the Letter Rogatory from London.

Rejecting the new allegations against him and his men, Kalmadi also claimed, "I can vouch that I have not gained financially even a single rupee out of these Games and if proved otherwise I am prepared to step down as MP (Pune)." Though the former CWG organising committee (CWG OC) chief Kalmadi also agreed that there were "mistakes made on the organisational front of the Games."

Citing Kalmadi's reaction against the allegations of making money, critic Suhel Seth, from his Twitter account, stated, "Kalmadi is right! He hasn't made even a rupee in CWG corruption! Exactly. He was paid in dollars and pounds! Honest thief!"

Kalmadi's new move may add to the difficulties of the Congress led UPA government. Kalmadi has also tried to remind that he was responsible for the five percent of the CWG budget, while other agencies like the Delhi government and the central government were accountable for the remaining budget of the Games.

"In spite of this, I am the only one who has been singled out and targeted for investigations while the role of all other government agencies including Delhi government and various other central government agencies have been completely overlooked," stated Kalmadi while expressing his rage against the present investigation process.

OneIndia News