Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi today hit back at former sports minister Mani Shankar Aiyar for his scathing criticism of the upcoming event, saying the senior Congress leader's comments are "irresponsible" and "anti-national".

Aiyar today said he would be "unhappy" if the Commonwealth Games were a success and that only "evil" will patronise them.

Reacting to the statement, Kalmadi said, "No individual can spoil the Games. It is totally irresponsible and ridiculous statement from such a senior person, who has also headed the sports ministry earlier. No Indian national can speak like that.

"With the Commonwealth Games fast approaching, he should know his responsibilities and think before making such a statement. He is an elected member of Rajya Sabha and it is totally an anti-national statement from him.

"It was because of his openness that he was removed from the sport minister's post. If he would have been the minister, the Commonwealth Games would never have come to India," Kalmadi said.

Earlier in the day, Aiyar criticised the money being spent for the October mega-event and said he would be unhappy if the Games are a success.

"I am delighted in a way because rains are causing difficulties for the Commonwealth Games. Basically, I will be very unhappy, if the Games are successful because then they will start bringing Asian Games, Olympic Games and all these," he had told reporters outside Parliament House.

Happy if the rains fall and the Games fail: Mani Shankar Aiyar

Former union minister, Congressman and Rajya Sabha member Mani Shankar was unsparing in his criticism of the Games on Tuesday, going as far as to say that he would be "unhappy" if the Games prove to be a success.

Aiyer questioned the spending on the games saying, "Just imagine if we would have spent Rs 35,000 crore (US $8,000 million) in providing training to children! We would have won medals at every sporting event then."

"Personally, I will be unhappy if the Commonwealth Games are successful," Aiyer, a nominated Rajya Sabha member said, "I am very happy with the rains. Firstly, because it will ensure good agriculture for the country and secondly, because it will ensure that the Commonwealth Games are spoilt."

Aiyer said that successful Games would portend a slew of other sporting events which will be a drain on the country's resources.

Taking a dim view of the money India paid every Commonwealth nation for the hosting rights, he said, "The money was given to Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada. These countries did not need the money, " adding, "I would call it a bribe. I don't know what id called from a legal point of view."

Verdant as the critiscism might have seemed to the Congress, the party, however, refrained from commenting on the issue, choosing instead to play it down as "personal opinion" of one its members.

"Honourable Mani Shankar Aiyer is a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, I will not comment on his personal opinion," party spokesperson Manish Tewari said.

"The Commonwealth Games are a matter of pride for the entire nation and the whole world will see a successful games when it is executed," he later stated.