PM, Team Anna agree on need for dialogue

Government and Team Anna on Saturday spoke of the need for a dialogue on the Lokpal issue despite continuing rhetoric on both sides.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh affirmed that there was "a lot of scope for give and take" and that the government was open to "discussion and dialogue".

Hours later Arvind Kejriwal, who has emerged as a hardliner in the Anna camp, said that they were ready for talks and asked "whom should we meet, where should we meet and when should we meet."

Pandering to the populist mood at Ramlila Grounds where Hazare is fasting; his associates Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi spoke some tough words like "we cannot trust this government", but at the same time maintained that the government should come forward and start discussions.

There were no signs as to which side would take the initiative to break the deadlock, but it was obvious that the move would have to come soon since Hazare would enter sixth day of his fast on Sunday. As of now, his vital health parameters were "stable."

Calling for a broad national consensus on Lokpal, the prime minister expressed the hope that the government can enlist the cooperation of "all thinking segments of Indian public opinion to ensure that the end-product is a strong and effective Lokpal which all sections of our community want".

Asked about Anna Hazare's demand that the Jan Lokpal should be passed by Parliament by August 30, Singh said "well, clearly, I think there are difficulties. It is a logic of the legislative process."

Meanwhile, a Parliamentary Committee examining the Lokpal Bill on Saturday sought suggestions from the public within 15 days, making it clear that the August 30 deadline set by Hazare on passing the anti-corruption legislation would not be met.

The move was termed as a "waste of time" by Team Anna which asserted the Committee should totally reject government bill.

To a question that Congress has alleged his agitation was backed by Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Hazare said "people who are saying such things should be sent to mental hospital. They have linked us to the United States and now they may link our agitation to Pakistan also."

Both Kejriwal and Bhushan said they were prepared to talk to the government but would not compromise on the issue of corruption.

He also insisted government conduct a referendum to know how many people want Jan Lokpal to be passed as referendums conducted by 'India Against Corruption' have showed that 80 per cent of the people wants the Jan Lokpal Bill to be passed by Parliament.

Kejriwal said the Jan Lokpal Bill was "prepared by people" of this country while the government's draft was formulated by "five ministers sitting inside a room."

On whether the movement is becoming anti-Congress now and what is their stand on BJP and other political parties, Kejriwal said "Left is clear. We are upset with BJP. They have not made their stand clear yet."

The RTI activist also said the Standing Committee has members like Lalu Prasad and Amar Singh and "how can one expect a bill" on corruption from them.

Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi also said while this is for the first time that the civil society was involved in drafting a bill in India, in the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States pre-legislative discourses are held before legislation is drafted.