Anna Hazare hits out at Rahul Gandhi over Sarpanch meeting controversy

RALEGAN SIDDHI: Anna Hazare on Wednesday hit out at Rahul Gandhi for not meeting the Sarpanch from his native village--an issue that has been clouded in controversy--and said he approved his decision not to meet the Congress leader even if given an appointment.

Hazare, who is observing 'maun vrat'(vow of silence), said in a written statement that the decision by the Sarpanch and his team was taken out of "self respect" though he had nothing personal against anybody.

The sarpanch of Ralegaon Siddhi Jaisingh Rao Mapari, Hazare's personal secretary Suresh Pathare and Ramdas Ugale had come to New Delhi on Tuesday to meet Gandhi but no meeting took place as they reportedly had not sought an appointment.

The anti-corruption crusader said his aides and the Sarpanch have told him that they will not meet Rahul now.

"The Sarpanch won't meet Rahul even if he gives appointment," Hazare said in the statement.

Upset over not getting an appointment with Rahul, the team decided to return home from Delhi yesterday saying now even if they get an appointment, the village will decide whether to meet the Congress leader or not.

Congress P T Thomas, who had interacted with them and had reportedly fixed the much-talked about meeting, however apologised for the "communication gap" that led to the confusion.

Hazare said the Sarpanch got a call from Thomas asking them to come to Delhi on October 17 for a meeting with Rahul the next day.

"They sought my permission and I approved the visit," the Gandhian said.

"We have come here after being told that we have an appointment with Rahul Gandhi on October 18 at 9 am. We came here believing the words of the MP. Now the MP says there was a communication gap. We are returning home.

"We have said in our letter seeking appointment with Gandhi that we want to meet him as suggested by the MP. We were contacted by Thomas' office several times. Even Rahul Gandhi's office called the sarpanch several times," Pathare told reporters in New Delhi yesterday.

Mapari said the team has been humiliated and will not meet Rahul Gandhi.