Kalmadi blames Aiyar for tardy Games preparations

Apparently trying to inject a sense of urgency into the preparations for next year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, CWG Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi is eyeing to rope in Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi as "a leader for the Games".

Kalmadi said he has already conveyed his desire to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

"If Rahul can come in as a leader for the Games, it will be of a great help. We always go for his advice. I have also spoken to Sonia that Rahul should be made leader of the Games, we will welcome him with open arms," Kalmadi told News24 channel.

The CWG OC has drawn flak from different quarters for the tardy preparations with the Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell issuing a warning that the Games could turn out to be a "partial failure" if the pace of work was not speeded up.

Kalmadi also came down heavily on former Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer, whom he held responsible for the initial delay in preparations.

"Reasons for all the delays in the preparations should be attributed to Mani Shankar. He did not believe in the Games and was a roadblock for the event. Thank God, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has removed him from the sports ministry. Now the work is going on smoothly," Kalmadi said.