India, Jan. 6 -- Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Suresh Kalmadi passed away on Tuesday. HT has learnt that the congress leader died in Maharashtra's Pune following a prolonged illness.

Kalmadi's mortal remains will be kept at Kalmadi House in Pune's Erandwane until 2PM, as per a statement from his office. The cremation is expected to take place at Vaikunth smashanbhumi at 3.30PM.

The former union minister is survived by his wife, son and daughter-in-law, two married daughters and a son-in-law, as well as grandchildren.

Kalmadi started his political career in 1977 by becoming the president of the Indian Youth Congress in Pune. By 1978, he was elevated to the President of the Youth Congress for Maharashtra, where he serv...