Former Union Minister and Congress Leader Suresh Kalmadi Dies at 81 After Prolonged Illness

Pune | January 6, 2026 Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Suresh Kalmadi passed away on Tuesday at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness. He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune, according to sources close to the family. His death marks the end of a long political and public life that spanned several decades, particularly in Maharashtra and national sports administration. As per an official statement issued by his office, Kalmadi’s mortal remains will be kept at his residence, Kalmadi House in Pune’s Erandwane area, until 2 pm to allow people to pay their last respects. The final rites will be performed later in the afternoon at Vaikunth smashanbhumi, with the cremation scheduled for 3.30 pm. Suresh Kalmadi is survived by his wife, his son and daughter-in-law, two married daughters, a son-in-law, and his grandchildren. Family members, close associates, political leaders, and admirers from Pune and beyond are expected to attend the funeral. A prominent political figure from Pune, Kalmadi was associated with the Congress party for most of his public life. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Pune multiple times, earning a reputation as a mass leader with strong grassroots connections in the city. Over the years, he remained an influential voice in local and national politics, particularly during the peak of his parliamentary career. At the Centre, Kalmadi served as Union minister of state for railways, where he was involved in policy matters related to railway operations and infrastructure. His tenure in the Union government added to his stature as a senior leader within the Congress party, especially in Maharashtra. Beyond politics, Kalmadi played a significant role in Indian sports administration. He served as the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for several years and was closely linked to the development and management of sports bodies at the national level. His involvement in sports administration made him a familiar face not just in political circles but also among athletes, officials, and sports federations. Kalmadi is perhaps best known nationally for serving as the chairman of the organising committee of the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi. The event placed him at the centre of international attention and marked a defining phase of his public life. While the Games were a major sporting event for India, his role during that period remained a key chapter of his career and kept him in the national spotlight. Despite facing health issues in recent years, Kalmadi continued to be regarded as a senior leader whose political journey reflected the changing landscape of Indian politics over the decades. Those who worked closely with him often described him as an accessible leader with a deep understanding of both politics and administration. Condolences poured in from political leaders across party lines following the news of his death. Several leaders remembered him as an experienced parliamentarian, a strong representative of Pune, and a person who left a lasting imprint on both politics and sports administration in the country. As Pune prepares to bid farewell to one of its most well-known political figures, Suresh Kalmadi’s passing marks the close of an era. His contributions to public life, whether as a lawmaker, minister, or sports administrator, remain a significant part of his legacy. Former Union Minister and Congress Leader Suresh Kalmadi Dies at 81 After Prolonged Illness Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Suresh Kalmadi passed away on Tuesday at the age of 81 after a long illness. He was undergoing treatment at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune when he breathed his last, according to sources. His death marks the end of a long public career in politics and sports administration. Kalmadi was a well-known political figure from Pune and was elected to the Lok Sabha from the city several times. During his career, he served as Union minister of state for railways and held various responsibilities within the Congress party. He was also closely associated with Indian sports administration and served as the president of the Indian Olympic Association for many years. At the national level, Kalmadi was the chairman of the organising committee of the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi, a role that brought him wide public attention. He remained an influential name in both politics and sports administration for decades. According to a statement from his office, Kalmadi’s mortal remains will be kept at Kalmadi House in Pune’s Erandwane area until 2 pm to allow people to pay their last respects. The cremation will take place at Vaikunth smashanbhumi at 3.30 pm. He is survived by his wife, children, in-laws and grandchildren. Leaders across party lines have expressed condolences, remembering him as a prominent leader from Pune.