New Delhi: India's Sports Minister Ajay Maken said Monday that he would direct the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to select a new president to replace the tainted Suresh Kalmadi, former chairman of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, at the earliest.
"Things are moving to their logical conclusion. As soon as Kalmadi is arrested we will ask the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to select a new president as someone like Mr Kalmadi, who will be charge sheeted and will be arrested, cannot continue leading the IOA. We will ask the IOA secretary-general to host the elections soon," said Maken.
Alleged irregularities
His comments came on a day there was intense speculation that Kalmadi had been arrested for the alleged irregularities in the preparations for the October 2010 Commonwealth Games here.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which is probing the issue, did not confirm this till late Monday afternoon.
"It is up to the IOA to take a step for the best interests of the country. The IOA president represents the country and some body who is charge-sheeted cannot serve the purpose. I am hopeful that sports ministry's steps will also be backed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)," he said
Maken also said that the sports ministry will also consult the attorney general to see if it can take any action on its own.
"We will also take advice from our attorney general to see if we can take action on our own to conduct fresh elections in the IOA," he said.
