New Delhi, June 2 (IANS) The Congress core committee Thursday began a crucial meeting to discuss yoga guru Baba Ramdev's threat to go on an indefinite fast over bringing back black money stashed abroad and the graft charges against central minister Dayanidhi Maran.

The meeting, at the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's 7 Race Course Road residence, is being attended by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P. Chidambaram and other leaders.
 
 According to party sources, the meeting will discuss a strategy to avoid a confrontation with Ramdev over his proposed fast from Saturday.
 
 The committee will also discuss the fallout of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) starting a preliminary probe against Textiles Minister Maran over corruption charges during his tenure as the communications minister 2004-2007.
 
 Maran, who is an MP from Congress' key ally the DMK, is likely to meet the prime minister in the evening, sources said.