No action against Cong workers who met Kalmadi: MPCC

The Congress in Maharashtra today ruled out action against party activists who met and welcomed suspended city MP Suresh Kalmadi on his arrival here after release on bail in the CWG scam case last week.

"There is no question of taking action against the party activists who called on Kalmadi. He is city MP and therefore many people have developed personal relations with him over the years," MPCC President Manikrao Thakre said.

He was talking to reporters after releasing the party's manifesto for the February 16 Pune civic elections.

Asked if Congress high command would consider revoking Kalmadi's suspension as he was being seen as a "scapegoat" by his supporters, AICC observer in charge of Maharashtra Mohan Prakash, who was present on the occasion, refused to comment.
"We do not comment on party high command's decisions," he said.

Describing Pune as an important city in the country, Prakash appealed to people to vote Congress to power in the civic body to ensure proper implementation of UPA government's various schemes for infrastructure development of big cities.

The Congress manifesto, among other things, promised implementation of the metro project in five years if it came to power in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Replying to questions, Thakre said though Congress and NCP were fighting the PMC poll independently, his party did not view Sharad Pawar's party as "enemy" as both share power at the state and national levels.