Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Suresh Kalmadi has passed away at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness, marking the end of a long and eventful public life. He breathed his last early Tuesday morning at around 3:30 am while undergoing treatment at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune. His mortal remains will be kept at his residence in Erandwane, Pune, and the cremation is scheduled to take place later in the afternoon. 

A prominent political figure, Kalmadi represented Pune in the Lok Sabha on multiple occasions and served as Union Minister of State for Railways during his career. He was also widely known for his role in sports administration, having served as president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), a position that kept him in the public eye beyond his political work.

Kalmadi’s career was marked by both achievements and controversies. While he played a significant role in national politics and sports – including long tenures in key administrative roles – he also drew widespread attention during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, where he served as chairman of the organising committee. The event was later overshadowed by allegations of irregularities, and Kalmadi faced legal challenges before being cleared of money‑laundering charges in 2025.

Leaders from across the political spectrum have expressed grief over his passing, acknowledging his contributions to public life and sports in India. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter‑in‑law, two married daughters and a son‑in‑law, as well as grandchildren.