Meet the new negotiators

Updated On: 26 August, 2011 07:29 AM IST | | Ravikiran Deshmukh

After a slew of Union Ministers failed to persuade Hazare to call off his fast, an anxious union government has roped in Vilasrao Deshmukh and Prithviraj Chavan to mediate on its behalf

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After a slew of Union Ministers failed to persuade Hazare to call off his fast, an anxious union government has roped in Vilasrao Deshmukh and Prithviraj Chavan to mediate on its behalf

After maintaining a conspicuous distance from the ongoing crisis in Delhi, two of the state's prominent Congress leaders have finally made an appearance on the scene, to convince the anti-graft crusader to call off his fast.

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Former CM Vilasrao Deshmukh and Prithviraj Chavan

Incumbent Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Union Minister of Science and Technology Vilasrao Deshmukh have been roped in by the central leadership, and assigned the task of breaking the impasse with Hazare.

In spite of their first-hand experience in negotiating with Hazare, the leaders had been maintaining a noticeable distance from affairs at the national capital.

Two days ago, however, both leaders were deployed by the central government to mediate with the crusading activist on its behalf.

While Deshmukh paid a visit to the Gandhian at Ramlila Grounds to convey a message from the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Chavan held a telephonic conversation with Hazare on Wednesday night.

Both Chavan and Deshmukh are seeking help from some of Hazare's close aides, who are based in Pune and his native place Ralegan Siddhi.