Kalmadi the ex-pilot who flew high in networking, politics
Three-time Lok Sabha MP from Pune and boss of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) since 1996, Suresh Kalmadi is regarded in political and sporting circles as a go-getter and a survivor.
By Vishwas Kothari, TNN | Updated:
PUNE: Three-time Lok Sabha MP from Pune and boss of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) since 1996, Suresh Kalmadi is regarded in political and sporting circles as a go-getter and a survivor.
The former Air Force pilot has friends everywhere and his networking skills span across politics, sports, corporates, the arts and culture . It showed in the Congressman’s ability to secure the NDA government’s support for the 2010 Commonwealth Games’ bid. On the political front, Kalmadi has been known for organizing campaigns. He was seen to have played a key role in the ‘Sharad Pawar for PM’ campaign after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination.
An alumnus of two prominent educational institutions in Pune — St Vincent’s high school and Fergusson College, Kalmadi joined the National Defence Academy in 1960. He was later commissioned in the IAF as a pilot and served in the 1965 and 1971 wars against Pakistan. He received eight medals during his career with the IAF and was also an instructor with the Air Force Training Team of the NDA from 1972 to 1974 before retiring as a squadron leader.
Coming back to Pune, where his father was a doctor and a prominent member of the Kannada community , Kalmadi made his first business acquisition, Poona Coffee House, in the upscale Deccan Gymkhana area. In 1974, he took dealership of Hindustan Petroleum for its products. But the big one he landed was the Maruti dealership in 1985 under the banner of Sai Service Station Ltd.
His association with Pawar in the late 1970s set him on a career in politics. He was a key supporter of the Maratha strongman, who was then a top Congress leader. He followed Pawar when the latter broke away from the Congress to establish the Congress (Socialist) in 1978.
Backed by Congress (S), Kalmadi entered RS in 1982 as an independent. In 1986, Pawar decided on merging Congress (S) with Congress. Kalmadi’s return to Congress enabled him to retain the RS seat for another two terms in 1988 and 1994. He went on to become Union MoS for railways in 1995 for 9 months.
In 1996, Kalmadi entered Lok Sabha for the first time from Pune. However, during the 1998 LS elections, Kalmadi broke away from Congress after being denied a ticket. He floated the Pune Vikas Aghadi, which was backed by the BJP. Though he lost the 1998 polls, his association with top BJP leader Pramod Mahajan ensured that he got into Rajya Sabha again.
When Pawar left Congress in 1999 to form the Nationalist Congress Party, Kalmadi returned to the Congress and won the Pune Lok Sabha seat twice — in 2004 and 2009.
The former Air Force pilot has friends everywhere and his networking skills span across politics, sports, corporates, the arts and culture . It showed in the Congressman’s ability to secure the NDA government’s support for the 2010 Commonwealth Games’ bid. On the political front, Kalmadi has been known for organizing campaigns. He was seen to have played a key role in the ‘Sharad Pawar for PM’ campaign after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination.
An alumnus of two prominent educational institutions in Pune — St Vincent’s high school and Fergusson College, Kalmadi joined the National Defence Academy in 1960. He was later commissioned in the IAF as a pilot and served in the 1965 and 1971 wars against Pakistan. He received eight medals during his career with the IAF and was also an instructor with the Air Force Training Team of the NDA from 1972 to 1974 before retiring as a squadron leader.
Coming back to Pune, where his father was a doctor and a prominent member of the Kannada community , Kalmadi made his first business acquisition, Poona Coffee House, in the upscale Deccan Gymkhana area. In 1974, he took dealership of Hindustan Petroleum for its products. But the big one he landed was the Maruti dealership in 1985 under the banner of Sai Service Station Ltd.
His association with Pawar in the late 1970s set him on a career in politics. He was a key supporter of the Maratha strongman, who was then a top Congress leader. He followed Pawar when the latter broke away from the Congress to establish the Congress (Socialist) in 1978.
Backed by Congress (S), Kalmadi entered RS in 1982 as an independent. In 1986, Pawar decided on merging Congress (S) with Congress. Kalmadi’s return to Congress enabled him to retain the RS seat for another two terms in 1988 and 1994. He went on to become Union MoS for railways in 1995 for 9 months.
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In 1996, Kalmadi entered Lok Sabha for the first time from Pune. However, during the 1998 LS elections, Kalmadi broke away from Congress after being denied a ticket. He floated the Pune Vikas Aghadi, which was backed by the BJP. Though he lost the 1998 polls, his association with top BJP leader Pramod Mahajan ensured that he got into Rajya Sabha again.
When Pawar left Congress in 1999 to form the Nationalist Congress Party, Kalmadi returned to the Congress and won the Pune Lok Sabha seat twice — in 2004 and 2009.
GROUNDED, FINALLY
KALMADI THROUGH THE YEARS
Date of Birth: May 1, 1944
1965: Joined the Indian Air Force as Pilot Recipient of 8 medals in his career with IAF
POLITICAL CAREER
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1978 – 1980: President, Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress1982 – 1995: MP, Rajya Sabha
1996 – 1997: MP, Lok Sabha
Sept 16 ,1995 – June 15 , 1996: MoS for Railways
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1998 – 2004: MP, Rajya SabhaFrom 2004 till today: MP 14th Lok Sabha
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IN WORLD OF SPORTSPresident, Indian Olympic Association (IOA): 1996 to 2012
Chairman– Afro–Asian Games, Hyderabad: 2003
Chairman: III Commonwealth Youth Games Pune 2008
Chairman: XIX Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010
AS AN ORGANIZER
First Afro-Asian Games in 2003 in Hyderabad
Organizing the Pune International Marathon for the last 23 years
As IOA President, organized national games
Leading committee for bidding for XIX Commonwealth Games
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