Government-Team Anna hold direct talks on Lokpal issue

However,the sticking point remained over the contentious issue of referring the Jan Lokpal Bill to the Standing Committee of Parliament,an offer made by Singh in a letter to Hazare,and rejected by Hazare’s team during the discussions.

On the 8th day of his fast,a frail-looking Hazare,whose health deteriorated considerably,disregarded calls for giving up the protest and also doctors advice for permitting them to administer drip.

After the meeting with Mukherjee,Bedi said Hazare will not end his fast till the government gives a written commitment on meeting their demands.

Parallely,the government convened an all-party meeting tomorrow where deliberations with Hazare’s team would be conveyed.

Earlier in the day,the Prime Minister,concerned over the deteriorating health of Hazare,directly reached out to him by writing a letter with an appeal for ending the fast and promise that his version of Lokpal Bill would be considered by Parliament.

Singh told Hazare that the government would request Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to refer the Team Hazare bill to the Parliamentary Standing Committee which would then be formally asked to “fast track their deliberations to the extent reasonably feasible”.

Singh said his government’s objective with regard to tackling corruption was “identical” to that of Hazare and was ready to talk to anybody to enact a “constitutionally-valid and the best possible Lokpal” while keeping in mind the Parliamentary supremacy and Constitutional obligations.

Emerging from the meeting with Hazare team,Mukherjee said,”we have started discussions with representatives of the civil society” and further discussion will take place at the all-party meeting scheduled for tomorrow.

“Dialogue will continue. I am hopeful we will be able to work out a solution,” the Finance Minister said.

At the same time,he appealed to Hazare to call off his fast,saying his “life is too precious to be put at any risk whatsoever.”

The Team Hazare said the discussions were ‘quite fruitful and constructive’ held in a ‘good atmosphere’ and said ‘some progress’ was made.

Soon afterwards,the Prime Minister convened a meeting of senior ministers which was apprised by Mukherjee and Khurshid about their discussions with the Hazare team.