Government believes that the demands put forth by Anna team, require a wider political consensus before a decision could be taken. No headway has been made so far in the talks between the government and the Civil Society activists in the behind the scene talks.
In a related development, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today held a detailed meeting with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, looking into the Lokpal Bill.
Singhvi had yesterday said that difference between the government and Hazare on Lokpal Bill were more to do with methodology rather than content and said, the Committee is open to all kinds of opinions and inputs to send a strong and acceptable Lokpal Bill back to Parliament. Congress Member Praveen Singh Aron has already submitted a copy of Hazare’s Jan Lokpal Bill for consideration of the Committee.
Anna aid Arvind Kejriwal has suggested that government should either withdraw the official Bill or amend it by including provisions of the Jan Lokpal Bill. However, he said, Hazare has not insisted that he will talk only with Prime Minister or Congress.
Nine non-BJP, non-Congress, political parties are observing a nationwide protest today against the government’s version of the Lokpal Bill. The Members of Parliament belonging to these parties held a protest demonstration in front of the statue of Mahatama Gandhi in Parliament complex this morning. They were demanding an effective legislation to end corruption in high places.
Meanwhile Anna Hazare fast entered the 8th day today. Doctors have advised him not to venture into the sun as it could have a negative impact on his health.