Game on: Vilasrao Deshmukh vs Suresh Kalmadi

Vilasrao Deshmukh’s decision to not allow public sector undertakings to sponsor the Commonwealth Games has been lauded in the state government. The politicians say Kalmadi deserved to be shown his place. In fact, a section within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is loyal to energy and water resources minister Ajit Pawar, is also sending congratulatory notes to Deshmukh.

They recall how Ajit (dada), in the last assembly and Lok Sabha elections, was forced to reconcile with Kalmadi after NCP president Sharad Pawar’s intervention. Though he puts politics aside while explaining his decision — it would be unfair to get PSUs to release funds into the corruption-tainted CWG - Deshmukh’s supporters are quick to point out how he has finally got even with Kalmadi.

A senior leader said, “When Deshmukh was the chief minister of Maharashtra, AICC general secretary Margaret Alva, MPCC chief Prabha Rau and Kalmadi had joined hands to work at cross purposes against Deshmukh.”