Thaindian News

Ralegan Siddhi (Maharashtra), Oct 19 (IANS) Anna Hazare Wednesday lauded the stand taken by Ralegan Siddhi sarpanch (village head) against meeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after the fracas in New Delhi the day before.

In a statement here late in the evening, Hazare also clarified that two months ago, Congress MP from Kerala P.T. Thomas had expressed keen interest in the Gandhi scion visiting Ralegan Siddhi and to know more about the development projects undertaken by the village.

Sarpanch Jaisingh Mapare and Hazare’s personal secretary Suresh Pathare had gone to meet Gandhi Tuesday, but were not allowed to meet him. Later, Thomas apologised for the incident.

“A week ago, the sarpanch and his associates informed me that they had been invited by Thomas to Delhi to discuss the issue,” Hazare said, commenting on the issue for the first time.

Hazare added that when they sought his permission to visit Delhi, he said since they had been invited, there was no harm in going to the capital since it was essential to discuss developmental issues concerning the nation.

“That is why they travelled to Delhi. They did not want anything from either Thomas or Rahul Gandhi, except discuss and replicate the developmental issues of Ralegan Siddhi across the country. Later I learnt that they had returned without meeting Rahul Gandhi,” Hazare said.

He said that the Ralegan Siddhi sarpanch and his associates have vowed not to go and meet Gandhi even if he again invited them.

“I am proud of this self-respect and dignity shown by the villagers of Ralegan Siddhi,” Hazare said.

Taking a swipe at both Thomas and Gandhi, Hazare pointed out that in the past over 30 years, Ralegan Siddhi villagers had never invited any leader, nor garlanded them. However, if they visited on their own initiative, they were welcomed and offered extended courtesies in the best of Indian traditions and culture.