India, Jan. 6 -- Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Suresh Kalmadi passed away in Pune early Tuesday after a prolonged illness, family sources said. He was 81.

His mortal remains will be kept at Kalmadi House in Erandwane till 2 pm, following which the last rites will be performed at the Vaikunth crematorium in Navi Peth at 3.30 pm.

For decades, Kalmadi was among Pune's most influential political figures, combining electoral clout with deep roots in the city's civic and cultural life. A former Indian Air Force pilot, he entered public life through the Youth Congress and went on to serve multiple terms in Parliament, including representing Pune in the Lok Sabha. During the mid-1990s, he served as Minister of State for Railw...