A week of hugely damaging allegations culminated yesterday in two senior executives being suspended from the Organising Committee, the treasurer resigning after allegations that his son's company had benefitted fro Games-related contracts and a multi-million dollar contract with an Australian marketing company was cancelled amid fears that the main sponsors would withdraw their support if they were kept on.

Several leading figures in the country have called upon Kalmadi, an MP with the ruling Congress party and who is also the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), to accept responsibility for the situation and resign.

But he is determined to remain defiant.

"There is no question of quitting," Kalmadi said in an interview with the Times Now news channel.

"I cannot afford to do that.

"The Commonwealth Games is my baby.

"I have promised everybody to deliver a great Games.

"There is no question of running away.

"I have been working day and night towards it.

"I am responsible for bringing the Games to the country.

"I will quit only if my party or the Indian Olympic Association asks me to do so."

An Indian anti-corruption body last week reported it had found a host of problems with construction work for the Games, including the use of poor-quality materials and dubious contracts.

Questions have also been raised about suspect sums being transferred from the Organising Committee to a British-based firm during the Queens Baton relay launch in London last year.

Opposition parties today raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, India's lower house, urging Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to directly address the problems while outside protestors wearing Kalmadi masks and waving Indian rupee banknotes called for his resignation.

Armed Indian guards stood by on the streets to quell protests if they got out of hand.

Sharad Yadav, the leader of the BJP, the main opposition party, said: "There are several areas of corruption within the Commonwealth Games."

Defending the Government, Congress party leader Sanjay Nirupam said, "The Commonwealth Games is the pride of the nation and any sort of corruption will not be tolerated by the Government."

He claimed that all the allegations would be properly investigated.

Kalmadi claimed that he was not involved in any of the financial misdemeanours nor was there any chance he will be.

"I don't have financial power, I only have administrative powers," he said.

"There is no charge against me.

"We have suspended the officials who were responsible for the London event.

"Let the inquiry report come out.

"I will not cover up if someone has made any mistake.

"I trusted my people, but I am not going to support anyone if he is found guilty.

"I have a lot on my hands.
 
"I cannot be held responsible for each of the 2,000 people working under me.

"I am sure we will come with flying colours and have a great Games."

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