Government Shifts Blame for Commonwealth Games Scandal to BJP-Led Regime

Strategic Insights -

The Congress-led government has come under fire for the scandal-plagued 2010 Commonwealth Games, but the Prime Minister's Office claims that the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime is responsible for the appointment of tainted Suresh Kalmadi as the Organising Committee chairman. According to Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Ajay Maken, the NDA government began the process that led to Kalmadi's appointment in 2003, signing a contract with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) that stipulated the IOA (Indian Olympics Association) would be responsible for conducting the Games. Maken said that the current PMO could do little to stop Kalmadi's appointment, citing the legally obligatory contract signed in 2003. The leaked Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report blames the PMO for overlooking objections raised by successive sports ministers against Kalmadi's appointment, but the Congress-led government has chosen not to comment on the report.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NDA government, in 2003, signed a contract with the CGF that led to the appointment of Suresh Kalmadi as the Organising Committee chairman.
  • The contract stipulated that the IOA would be responsible for conducting the Games, and Kalmadi was authorized to finalize the panel and deal with the government regarding the Games.
  • The current PMO claims that it could do little to stop Kalmadi's appointment due to the legally obligatory contract signed in 2003.
  • The CAG report blames the PMO for overlooking objections raised by successive sports ministers against Kalmadi's appointment.
  • The Congress-led government has chosen not to comment on the leaked CAG report.

Statistics:

  • 2003: The year in which the contract was signed between the NDA government and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).
  • 2010: The year in which the Commonwealth Games took place.
  • November 2003: The month and year in which the contract was signed with the CGF.
  • November 2004: The month and year in which the IOA elected Kalmadi as OC chairman and authorized him to finalize the panel and deal with the government.

Sources:

  • The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/19079881.cms)
  • IANS India (https://www.iaindia.net/2013/01/15/government-shifts-blame-for-commonwealth-games-scandal-to-bjp-led-regime/)
  • Hindustan Times (https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/ht-lead-govt-shifts-blame-for-commonwealth-games-scandal-to-bjp-led-regime/story-Z6Jxh5QgUct0jFQh2hmr0M.html)