Won't react to corrupt person's allegation: Maken

Sports Minister Ajay Maken has declined to comment on Suresh Kalmadi's accusation of carrying out a vilification campaign against him, saying that he would not like to respond to a person who has been chargesheeted by the CBI.

"I would not like to respond to a person who has been chargesheetd by the CBI and suspended by the Congress party on corruption charges," Maken said.

Asked about his stand on Kalmadi's plans to attend the London Olympic Games, Maken said, "I still stand by my statement that he should not go to the Olympics as he still remains the president of the IOA and is yet to be cleared of the charges of corruption pending in the courts," he said.

Kalmadi had hit back at Maken, accusing the Sports Minister of carrying out a vilification campaign against him and called for his resignation for contempt of court.

Kalmadi, who was allowed by a Delhi court to travel to London for the Olympics, said it was unbecoming of Maken to react in such a way against the court's decision and requested the Prime Minister to ask for his resignation.

Maken had on Friday said that he would try to stop Kalmadi from attending the London Olympic Games as part of Indian delegation.

Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani / Rediff.com