Pune: Former MP Suresh Kalmadi, who, once upon a time, was the supreme leader of city Congress, participated in the Ganesh immersion procession on Tuesday after a long time. He also spent time with city BJP leaders, which raised eyebrows in city political circles.
Since his suspension from the Congress after his arrest by the CBI in connection with irregularities in the Commonwealth Games in April 2011, Kalmadi has hardly made a public appearance.

However, he, along with BJP leaders, performed aarti of five Manache Ganpati at Mahatma Phule Mandai, from where the colourful immersion procession started and attracted the attention of onlookers. Later, Kalmadi had breakfast with District Guardian Minister Girish Bapat, Mayor Mukta Tilak and other BJP leaders.

Recently, Kalmadi was in the news when he praised the ruling BJP and expressed satisfaction over the BJP’s rule in the PMC. His presence with the BJP leaders once again gave momentum to the rumour mill. 

He refused to comment when asked whether his sharing space and time with BJP leaders was a new political equation.