Pargat Singh lashes out at Kalmadi
Sports Reporter
NEW DELHI: In a scathing attack on Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi, former India captain and Hockey Punjab Secretary Pargat Singh on Sunday alleged that the IOA chief was indulging in “horse-trading” to gain power in Hockey India.
Pargat questioned the postponement of the HI elections on the plea that the Jaipur High Court had stayed the minutes of a meeting in which affiliations were finalised.
“If the problem is regarding the affiliation of the Rajasthan unit, then (HI) should file an application in the court for restricting the stay to that State and conduct the elections,” he told mediapersons here.
(Even before Pargat made the suggestion, HI had initiated moves to approach the Rajasthan High Court for relief, sources said on Sunday. There were two meetings held on January 11, one that finalised the list of affiliated units and another that drew up the election schedule, according to sources. Details of the court decision would now be sought to ascertain which of the minutes were being stayed. Further moves in Jaipur is likely on Wednesday or Thursday.)
Pargat said: “They were afraid of the election. So it was deferred. After seeing the electoral college, they were not confident,” Pargat said.
“A lot of drama has been going on. Before giving us affiliation, I was told by Kalmadi’s followers in HI that we would get affiliation if we accept him. This is (horse-trading) and I will fight against it till it gets right,” he said.
Referring to the instability in HI before the World Cup, the former India captain said the country’s prestige was at stake.
“World Cup or no World Cup, they want power,” he said.
Pargat listed a few inconsistencies in the HI election process and demanded the stepping down of the Wrestling Federation of India President and IOA Vice-President G.S. Mander as the Returning Officer for the polls.
He praised Sports Minister M.S. Gill’s sincerity to conduct transparent elections.
Pargat invited Kalmadi for an open debate to seek public opinion. “My fight is not personal, it is on principles,” the former India captain said.
Later, Kalmadi issued a statement denying Pargat’s allegations. He said that being the IOA President and Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee he was fully occupied and had no time or interest in taking over hockey.
“I have a national duty to perform to ensure that the Commonwealth Games are conducted successfully,” he said.
Kalmadi also said that according to his understanding Hockey Punjab was given affiliation by HI within one day “after submission of all their documents.”
He said as Joint Chairperson of the Governing Board he was also responsible for the smooth conduct of the coming World Cup Hockey.
He said he was also keen to see that Indian hockey players were given their incentives from time to time.