Ralegan calling: Anna Hazare sends emissary to Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Team Anna is busy battling the Congress over its Jan Lokpal draft Bill, but in some Track 2 diplomacy, Anna Hazare has sent the sarpanch of his Ralegan Siddhi village to meet Rahul Gandhi in Delhi.

Sarpanch Jaisingh Mapari, who is also a close aide of the Gandhian anti-corruption crusader, will meet Mr Gandhi on Tuesday and said Mr Hazare had directed him to hold talks with the senior Congress leader.  

"Rahul Gandhi has called us for talks. Anna has directed us to hold the talks. If he wants to come here, we will welcome him in the village," Mr Mapari said. 

"Annaji suggested that if there can be a solution through talks, then they should take place. We are also waiting for talks. There have been no talks with Rahulji as yet. It will be good if Annaji and Rahulji talk. We welcome him for talks. If Annaji is called for talks, then we will let him know," the Sarpanch said.

PTI quoted another of Mr Hazare's aides, Datta Awari, as saying that the village sarpanch will meet Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday and "request him to visit the village." The villagers would like to show Rahul the progress in Ralegan Siddhi in areas like water-shed development, he said. Asked if the issue of Mr Hazare's "moun vrat" (vow of silence) would figure in Mr Mapari's discussions with Rahul Gandhi, Mr Awari said that issue could also be discussed.

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Yet another associate of Mr Hazare, advocate Shyam Asawa, was quoted by PTI as saying that Mr Hazare had asked Mr Mapari to convince Rahul to accept and support the Jan Lokpal Bill draft proposed by the civil society members, on behalf of his party.

Mr Mapari will be accompanied by Mr Hazare's personal assistant Suresh Pathare during his trip to Delhi.

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However, there is no confirmation yet from  Mr Gandhi's office on his meeting with Anna's emissary.

(With PTI Inputs)