New Delhi, Dec. 24: Speculation is rife that, following the CBI raids, pressure is likely to be mounted on CWG Organising Committee chief, Mr Suresh Kalmadi, to step down as the CWG OC chairman. There are also whispers in party circles that the Congress high command might reconsider re-nominating Mr Kalmadi from the Pune Lok Sabha seat for the 2014 General Elections. His resignation from the Congress Party in Parliament has already been accepted.
After the raids, a visibly shaken Mr Kalmadi tried to put up a brave front and claimed he was “not hurt by the raids and wanted to cooperate with the CBI.” In the style of his arrested OC colleagues, Mr Kalmadi added: “I have not taken any decision alone. All decisions have been taken by the executive board.” “I am innocent till proven guilty,” he said.
Mr Kalmadi’s close associates, Mr Shekhar and Mr P.K. Srivastava, were questioned by the CBI. Mr Shekhar was brought to CBI headquarters in Delhi. The agency is set to make some “significant arrests” in connection with the CWG scam.
Sources disclosed that some contract documents with two firms, Event Knowledge Service (EKS) and Swiss Timing, that dealt with the time scoring and results system, were seized from Mr Kalmadi’s residence and office.
During Friday’s “informal” questioning, the CBI asked Mr Kalmadi about the “procedure followed for the appointment of these two firms.”
The CBI said it has recovered some “crucial documents” related to overlays contracts running into `700 crore.
The CBI is expected to register a case on alleged irregularities in overlays contracts. Among other items, four computers and certain documents were also seized.
The agency has also recovered files related to the controversial scoring contracts.
However, some key files, relating to the OC delegation’s Beijing visit before the Games in October, appointment of foreign consultants in the field of risk management and catering, remain missing.