Govt, Team Anna soften stance

Meeting between finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and Hazare supporters 'positive'

Govt, Team Anna soften stance

Meeting between finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and Hazare supporters 'positive'

Finally, after eight days of Anna Hazare's hunger strike, which had focused widespread anger over corruption throughout the country, Team Anna and the government moved a step forward towards a resolution on bringing a strong Lokpal bill. As reported by MiD DAY on Tuesday, government softened its stand on the issue and showed concern towards the deteriorating health of 74-year-old Hazare.

Showing a signs of breaking the deadlock on dialogue process, both groups claimed that healthy dialogue took place between the two in a good atmosphere, and added that the talks will continue further on Wednesday, when most likely both parties will agree on a consensus.

Chew on that!
Sources said that Anna could break his fast on Wednesday morning, even before an all-party meeting called by the government on the issue. "On most of the points of Jan Lokpal bill, prepared by Team Anna, government has shown its agreement including inclusion of PM under the Lokpal. Only three contentious issues remain unsolved after the first round of meeting," claimed a source. He added that the government is likely to give its assurances in writing to Anna by morning, so that the Gandhian could break his fast. The dialogue process may continue even after that. Sources also said that some representative from the government may come to Ramlila Maidan to break Anna's hunger strike.

After the meeting, Arvind Kejriwal announced at Ramlila Maidan that their team has demanded withdrawal of the Government version of Lokpal bill from standing committee or let it be lapsed. Kejriwal also demanded in the meeting with Pranab Mukherjee and Salman Khursid that a new bill be introduced in this session of parliament only.

'Let's meet'
After the first round of talks at North Block that ended at 10 pm, the prime minister called the crucial meeting of Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs at his residence, 7 RCR. It was attended by Pranab Mukherjee, P Chidambaram, AK Antony, SM Krishna, Kapil Sibal and Sharad Pawar.u00a0 The meeting ended shortly after
1 am, but details were not made public till the time of going to press. Sources said Pranab Mukherjee had put across all the points that had been discussed between him and Team Anna.u00a0u00a0u00a0