New Delhi:
A day after being sacked as Chairman of the Commonwealth Games' Organising Committee, Suresh Kalmadi today hit out at his critics and said his ouster is illegal and uncalled for.
His deputy, Lalit Bhanot, was also fired as Secretary General.
Kalmadi said: "IOA has nominated me OC chairman and only IOA has the right to remove me."
He also maintained that he will hand over the charge to CEO under protest.
Sports Minister Ajay Maken, who took over the charge recently, said on Monday, "In the light of the concerns expressed by the CBI and in the interest of impartial and unhindered investigations, it has been decided to remove Kalmadi from the position of the Chairman of the Organizing Committee and the position of Chairman, Executive Board of the organizing, CWG, with immediate effect."
The months leading up to the Games saw a waterfall of allegations of corruption. Contracts showed firms being overpaid, being chosen out of turn, or receiving disproportionately large advances.
Media reports suggested many of these contracts had been signed by Kalmadi and company with healthy kickbacks built in.