'Sarpanch' of Anna Hazare's village to meet Rahul Gandhi

Sarpanch of social activist Anna Hazare's village Ralegan Siddhi will meet AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Tuesday, an associate of the social activist said today. "Our village sarpanch Jaisingh Mapari will meet Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Tuesday and request him to visit the village," Hazare's aide Datta Awari told PTI over phone from Ralegan Siddhi.

The villagers would like to show Rahul the progress done by Ralegan Siddhi in areas like water-shed development, he said. Asked if the issue of Hazare's Moun vrat (vow of silence) would figure in Mapari's discussions with Rahul Gandhi, Awari said the issue would also be discussed. Hazare today began indefinite maun vrat (vow of silence) at his native village for atma shanti (peace of soul).