The embattled chief of the 2010 Commonwealth Games refused to yield yesterday to the growing clamour for his resignation, saying he wanted to keep his promise of delivering a “great” show.

Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the Games organising committee, has come under intense pressure to step down in the wake of allegations of corruption that have dogged the October 3-14 event in the Indian capital.

“There is no question of quitting,” Kalmadi said in an interview.

“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.

Kalmadi, a senior member of the Congress Party, said the officials responsible for the London launch had already been suspended and an inquiry was under way to get to the bottom of the matter.

“I don’t have financial power, I only have administrative powers. There is no charge against me. We have suspended the officials who were responsible for the London event,” he said.

“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.”