Shivankar meets Hazare, sets grapevine working overtime

Maharashtra Finance Minister Madhav Shivankar met social activist Anna Hazare on Sunday.

Secretly, for two hours at Ralegoan Siddhi.

Why?

Well, the why of it is what's keeping state political circles abuzz. What made Shivankar -- yes, the same politician against whom Hazare raised corruption charges earlier and who, four months ago, was acquitted by the Puranik Committee which probed the allegations -- meet the activist, and so covertly?

Reports say the minister had gone unaccompanied, in a private vehicle, to Ralegaon Siddhi. Reports also say that Shivankar's mission was to convince Hazare of his innocence for which he even produced documents. Shivankar is said to have updated the activist of development works which the government had undertaken.

But if that was all there was to the meeting, why all the secretiveness? Why the private vehicle, why go unescorted?

Only two persons can answer those questions. And both aren't telling!

Compiled by Prasanna D Zorey from the Marathi press