NEW DELHI: Amid intense criticism over Commonwealth Games preparations, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh on Thursday held a meeting with Union ministers and others involved in the sporting event but kept away Organising Committee chief, Mr Suresh Kalmadi triggering speculation that he was being sidelined.

The Prime Minister asked the Cabinet Secretary, Mr K M Chandrashekhar to meet Commonwealth Games Federation chief, Mr Michael Fennell on Friday after he arrives here and apprise him of the preparations.
During the 90-minute meeting, Dr Singh enquired about various aspects of the preparations from Urban Development Minister, Mr Jaipal Reddy, Sports Minister, Mr M S Gill, Delhi Lieutenant Governor, Mr Tejendra Khanna and Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit.
“The Prime Minister was briefed about the state of preparedness of the Commonwealth Games. He was informed that every effort is being made to prepare the Games facilities and the Village to the expected standards,” Mr Khanna later told reporters. “Our guests will be received and welcomed in accordance with the best traditions of Indian hospitality,” the Lt Governor said after the meeting which was also attended by the National Security Advisor, Mr Shivshankar Menon and Home Secretary, Mr G K Pillai.
Apart from accusations of inefficiency, the Organising Committee and the government have also been left embarrassed by the collapse of a foot over-bridge near the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, which is the main venue for the mega-event. The meeting came two days after international delegates lambasted the Games Village as “filthy and uninhabitable” and top teams such as Canada, Scotland and New Zealand delayed their departure to the Indian capital.