Veteran Politician Suresh Kalmadi Passes Away at 81 Amid Controversies

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Suresh Kalmadi, a prominent figure in Indian politics and sports administration, has passed away at the age of 81 in Pune. His life was marked by both significant achievements and high-profile controversies. Kalmadi's downfall began in 2010, when he was at the helm of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, and he faced allegations of corruption. His arrest in 2011 and subsequent removal from key positions effectively ended his public life. However, in a recent development, a Delhi court cleared Kalmadi of money laundering charges related to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in April 2025. Kalmadi's journey in politics began in the 1970s, when he was a squadron leader in the Indian Air Force. He later acquired the Poona Coffee House, a hub for informal politics, with the backing of socialist leader Nilubhau Limaye. Kalmadi's network at the coffee house played a crucial role in his rise to prominence. He was appointed as the Pune Youth Congress chief in 1977 and went on to serve as a member of the Rajya Sabha for three terms between 1982 and 1995. Kalmadi also held the position of minister of state for railways in the PV Narasimha Rao government from 1995 to 1996. Throughout his career, Kalmadi was known for his organisational skills, which led to the success of several events, including the Pune International Marathon, the Pune Festival, and the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2008. Despite his controversies, Kalmadi's legacy in Indian sports and politics remains complex and multifaceted.