Commotion at airport as tainted MP comes calling

Pune After much dilly-dallying, tainted Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi arrived in the city to a noisy welcome from ‘supporters’ who thronged the Pune Airport. With the Delhi High Court granting him bail on January 19, Kalmadi, who is facing trial for his alleged involvement in the CWG scam, returned to the city after over nine months. Though seemingly dispirited, Kalmadi put on a smile and waved to his ‘supporters’ shouting slogans.
The city MP arrived around 6.15 pm and the roads leading to the airport were choked with ‘supporters’, causing traffic jams and inconveniencing passengers. The police had to appeal to the mob several times to keep it under control.
More drama ensued when, in order to evade the mob at the arrival gate, Kalmadi, accompanied by loyalist Sangeeta Tiwari and police officers, was guided to the departure gate. The crowd carrying flowers, garlands and bouquets, prevented the MP from getting to his car outside the airport. Eventually, corporator Deepak Mankar had to bring the car to the MP. The high point of the ‘grand entry’ by Kalmadi was when he opened the sun roof of his Grand Vitara and spoke to the supporters, screaming slogans like ‘Sabse Bada Khiladi, Sureshbhai Kalmadi’ at the top of their lungs.
05/02/12 Pranav Kulkarni/Express India

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Categories: airports Feb 2012