New Delhi [India], Dec. 29 : Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel on Thursday said that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has violated the norms and basic ethics of good governance by appointing tainted Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Chautala as life presidents of the national Olympic body.
Chautala, who has been chargesheeted in a disproportionate assets case, and 2010 CWG corruption scandal tainted Kalmadi were made life presidents at the IOA's Annual General Meeting in Chennai on December 27, stunning the Indian sporting fraternity and leaving the Sports Ministry fuming.
"Our issue is not with Suresh Kalmadi or Abhay Chautala. It is the IOA that is violating the norms and basic ethics of good governance. They are violating their own constitution. They are violating the national sports code," Goel told ANI. "So, it is up to the IOA to decide what reply they want to give to the showcause notice. Once IOA replies to show cause notice then we will see further," he added. Meanwhile, Chautala has insisted that he is ready to relinquish the post of IOA life president if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) tells him to do so.
"If IOC is not favourably inclined to my taking over as life president after the president has had an opportunity of discussing this matter personally with IOC, in accordance with the IOA resolution passed in the AGMs of Guwahati and Chennai, I will be pleased to sacrifice my position, once again, in the best interest of Indian sports, sportspersons, good governance, transparency and cleanliness in Indian sports," Chautala said.
The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader also hit back at Goel for his criticism of former's appointment as life president of the national Olympic body, and insisted that he would not step down from the post.
Goel had on Tuesday criticised the IOA for making the tainted duo of Suresh Kalmadi and Chautala life presidents, saying that the move was "totally unacceptable" as both of them were facing serious criminal and corruption charges.
The Sports Ministry on Wednesday decided to issue a showcause notice to the IOA and has said that all ties will be cut with the national Olympic body until Kalmadi and Chautala aren't removed.
Meanwhile, Kalmadi has voluntarily decided to step down from the post, confirmed his counsel Hitesh Jain yesterday.
Source: ANI
