As the 19th Commonwealth Games (CWG) ended here on Thursday, the Opposition parties on Friday raised the issue of “corruption” in organising the event and sought a thorough probe.
They referred to the promises made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi that no one found involved in “corruption” would be spared after the Games were over.
BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar told journalists, “I think the public-jury is out.” The way the spectators at the CWG valedictory reacted wherein they “cheered” every cultural artist and sportsperson and “jeered and booed” CWG Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi showed their “anger and mood.” The BJP would not tolerate the “delay in Games preparations, mismanagement and corruption” in organising the event and pursue the matter and seek action against the guilty.
Asked who should be given the credit for the success of the CWG, he said it should go to the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who brought the Games to Delhi during his prime ministership, the general public and the media.
CPI national secretary D. Raja also demanded a probe into “corruption” in organising the CWG. He said no one should go scot-free on the plea that the event was a success.
“Dr. Singh promised a thorough probe after the Games were over. We hope he stands by his words and orders investigations.”
“Country stood united”
The entire credit for the success of the CWG went to Indian sportspersons for their marvellous performance. “When the defining moment came, the entire country stood united.” But this would not exonerate the “corruption and wrongdoings” in organising the event, Mr. Raja said.
Delhi BJP spokesman Vijay Jolly said his party would bring out a “white paper” on all the “wrongdoings.” He said the main objective of the Games in terms of promoting sports, infrastructure and tourism was not achieved. The government and the CWG Organising Committee failed in these areas.
“The government was claiming a boom for the tourism industry. But maximum hotels and other business establishments saw their trade going down. No revenue was generated even after spending a huge amount of taxpayers' money,” he said.
