New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Vice President Tarlochan Singh on Thursday said that corruption charges against former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi have tainted the Olympic movement in India and he (Kalmadi) has to decide what he wants to do.
Singh said that Kalmadi has a long legal battle ahead of him even though he has been released on bail in the Commonwealth Games scam. He also backed VK Malhotra continuing as IOA chief despite Kalmadi coming out of the jail.
"We are few month away from Olympic so VK Malhotra should continue (as IOA President). Commonwealth Games corruption allegation has tainted not just the IOA but also Olympic movement in the country. Suresh Kalmadi has long legal battle to fight. But VK Malhotra should continue as President. We have vested all power and support of the members. It's up to Kalmadi to decided what he wants to do," said Singh.
Kalmadi had nominated Malhotra as the Acting President of the IOA before being arrested for alleged corruption in the conduct of the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
The anti-Kalmadi group in the IOA has raised questions on how a tainted official could become President again, particularly when a corruption case has been filed against him.
"How can he become the IOA President again? He should take into account public furore and sentiments and stay away from any position till he clears his name," a top official said.
Kalmadi's presence will also add a new dimension to the IOA elections, scheduled for later in 2012. Kalmadi was arrested by the CBI on April 25, 2011 in the Timing, Scoring and Result system scam.
Kalmadi had moved the High Court in January, seeking bail citing the Supreme Court's judgment in 2G spectrum case and said it has been held that "bail is rule and jail is exception".
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