CWG: Kalmadi says he is ready for any probe

New Delhi: The Centre is unwilling to act against Commonwealth Games boss Suresh Kalmadi until the Games are over. But as pressure is mounting, the Congress party is finding it difficult to defend its member of Parliament. The party is now distancing itself from the corruption charges.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennel has also demanded action against the guilty.

However, sources in the Congress say the party is of the opinion that some of the overlays are unrealistic for which Kalmadi will be asked to explain. The Congress leadership is waiting for the Games to be over. The leadership wants the investigation to take its own course and says Kalmadi should have been more transparent.

But the party leadership also wants facts on the alleged CWG 2010 corruption to come out. Sources say that the government will issue a statement saying action will be taken against the guilty. But the government is looking for more proofs before any action is initiated.

The government feels Kalmadi's exit just before the Games could be embarrassing for the country. But the Opposition and especially the BJP is likely to make the CWG corruption an issue in parliament on Wednesday.

Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said: "We all want to know the answers. But our priority is the Games. Law can take its own course later."

"Everybody wants to know the answer, if there has been problems in the CWG. We don't want the image of India to get tarnished but we also want the culprits should not go scot free," he added.

Even the main sponsor of the Games, the Indian Railways, has sought an undertaking on where the sponsorship money will go and stopped short of threatening to pull out.

Railway sources said: "We understand Games preparations are underway and while our priority remains successful games, we would also like an assurance that all deals and approvals sought are above board."

Simply put, the government is concerned about the scam but wants its ministries, which are yet to begin involvement with the Games, to ensure fair play.

On the other hand, the Opposition wants the prime minister to assure the House that the Games will be done fine and there will be a joint parliamentary probe (JPC) into the scandal.