New Delhi:Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin is likely to meet the Essar Group top brass when hevisits Mumbai today(Feb 15,2007).

While the main agenda is to visit the corporate headquarters of Hutch-Essar,sources said Sarin would meet Essar Group Chairman Shashi Ruia and ViceChairman Ravi Ruia.

Vodafone has offered to buyout Essar, the 33 per cent stakeholder inHutch-Essar, from the venture on the same terms given for Hutchison Telecom's67 per cent stake.

Sarin told an Editors conference earlier in the day that he would like Essar todecide on the offer within 3-5 weeks, but added that Vodafone would respecttheir choice if they want to concentrate on their other businesses of oil refining,steel and shipping.

He also said that it was Vodafone's view and their lawyers opinion that Essardoes not have Right of First Refusal, adding that Vodafone would consult Essaron decision making as a 33 per cent stakeholder should be.

Hutch-Essar Managing Director Asim Ghosh and Analjit Singh of Max accompaniedSarin during his visit here.

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