
New Delhi, August 25 (AGENCIES): Hours after the Prime Minister paid sincere tribute to Anna Hazare and offered a new compromise, the glimmer of a truce appeared at Ramlila Maidan, where Anna's anti-corruption protest drew its usual huge crowds at 6 this evening. Anna who is 74 and has not eaten for ten days, explained what might prompt him to end his fast. "If you are serious," he said referring to the Prime Minister, "let's start a debate tomorrow in Parliament on the Jan Lokpal Bill. There are three points of dispute... we will test you on these."
He said if there is consensus on these issues, he will consider ending his fast, but may choose to continue his protest. Doctors say Anna has lost more than six kilos but his condition is stable. Some of his closest advisors, including Prashant Bhushan and Swami Agnivesh, have said it's time for him to conclude his hunger strike.
The Lokpal Bill currently exists in three versions prepared by the government, Team Anna and a group of activists headed by Aruna Roy. The PM suggested in Parliament this morning that all three drafts can be discussed by Parliament; a compilation of the best features from each could then be sent to a parliamentary committee for detailed study and feedback.
Aware that Anna may have to be forcibly moved to a hospital, and that could cause fierce unrest across the country, the government is holding a series of meetings to ensure that a debate begins tomorrow on all versions of the Lokpal Bill including Anna's. The PM's intervention this morning, though belated say many, had two significant consequences: direct negotiations with Anna rather than his associates; and respect for his acknowledgement of Anna's role in fighting corruption.
Dr Manmohan Singh, who has been criticised for appearing too distant during Anna's movement, said, "His point has been registered. I respect his idealism. Anna Hazare has become the embodiment of people's concern and disgust with corruption. I applaud him, I salute him." Dr Singh then sent his party's Vilasrao Deshmukh to meet Anna at his protest camp and convey that a debate in Parliament can begin tomorrow on all versions of the Lokpal Bill. Mr Deshmukh knows Anna well, both men are from Maharashtra where the Congressman has served twice as Chief Minister. Mr Deshmukh delivered the Prime Minister's offer, and took back Anna's request for an urgent debate on the Jan Lokpal Bill.
It's not just the government who is being pinned down by Anna. "I want to ask Opposition parties why they're silent. Speak up. Say that you support our Jan Lokpal Bill," he dared today. Nitin Gadkari of the BJP has sent him an enthusiastic note today, expressing the BJP's support for Anna's bill as the blueprint for a "tough new Lokpal."
So far, Anna's team has three demands that have been contentious for the government. Now, ministers are searching for solutions to these. The first is that the Lokpal - a new independent agency to investigate corruption - must be allowed to cover junior bureaucrats so that graft is combated "from the villages to our ministries." The second is that the Lokpal Act must be introduced not just at the Centre but in states. Finally, he wants government departments to adopt a citizen's charter that would punish officials for under-performance.
He said if there is consensus on these issues, he will consider ending his fast, but may choose to continue his protest. Doctors say Anna has lost more than six kilos but his condition is stable. Some of his closest advisors, including Prashant Bhushan and Swami Agnivesh, have said it's time for him to conclude his hunger strike.
The Lokpal Bill currently exists in three versions prepared by the government, Team Anna and a group of activists headed by Aruna Roy. The PM suggested in Parliament this morning that all three drafts can be discussed by Parliament; a compilation of the best features from each could then be sent to a parliamentary committee for detailed study and feedback.
Aware that Anna may have to be forcibly moved to a hospital, and that could cause fierce unrest across the country, the government is holding a series of meetings to ensure that a debate begins tomorrow on all versions of the Lokpal Bill including Anna's. The PM's intervention this morning, though belated say many, had two significant consequences: direct negotiations with Anna rather than his associates; and respect for his acknowledgement of Anna's role in fighting corruption.
Dr Manmohan Singh, who has been criticised for appearing too distant during Anna's movement, said, "His point has been registered. I respect his idealism. Anna Hazare has become the embodiment of people's concern and disgust with corruption. I applaud him, I salute him." Dr Singh then sent his party's Vilasrao Deshmukh to meet Anna at his protest camp and convey that a debate in Parliament can begin tomorrow on all versions of the Lokpal Bill. Mr Deshmukh knows Anna well, both men are from Maharashtra where the Congressman has served twice as Chief Minister. Mr Deshmukh delivered the Prime Minister's offer, and took back Anna's request for an urgent debate on the Jan Lokpal Bill.
It's not just the government who is being pinned down by Anna. "I want to ask Opposition parties why they're silent. Speak up. Say that you support our Jan Lokpal Bill," he dared today. Nitin Gadkari of the BJP has sent him an enthusiastic note today, expressing the BJP's support for Anna's bill as the blueprint for a "tough new Lokpal."
So far, Anna's team has three demands that have been contentious for the government. Now, ministers are searching for solutions to these. The first is that the Lokpal - a new independent agency to investigate corruption - must be allowed to cover junior bureaucrats so that graft is combated "from the villages to our ministries." The second is that the Lokpal Act must be introduced not just at the Centre but in states. Finally, he wants government departments to adopt a citizen's charter that would punish officials for under-performance.