New Delhi, August 25: With the government hardening its position on the Jan Lokpal Bill, the deadlock between the Centre and Team Anna continued Wednesday. While government negotiator Salman Khurshid claimed negotiations were on, Team Anna said the government had “backtracked” from its earlier position.
Late Wednesday night, Mr Hazare, apprehending forcible eviction, asked his supporters to start a jail-bharo stir by “gheraoing” the residences of MPs.
Wednesday’s all-party meeting favoured a strong Lokpal Bill covering the Prime Minister, but with “adequate safeguards”. The Opposition sought withdrawal of the government bill, but insisted that Parliament’s authority could not be challenged.
Team Anna strategist Arvind Kejriwal warned: “The government will be directly responsible if something happens to Hazare… If the Jan Lokpal Bill is introduced tomorrow, Anna will end his fast.”
Team Anna members Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi met Mr Pranab Mukherjee in the evening, but there was no forward movement. Mr Khurshid said the meetings would continue, but Ms Bedi said there was “no progress” and that the government had “backtracked” from Tues-day’s stand. Mr Mukherjee, appearing somewhat bolstered, said: “I requested them to let the parliamentary process be completed.”
Mr Hazare’s fast entered its ninth day, taking a serious toll on his health. Team Anna’s meetings with Mr Khurshid and Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit earlier Wednesday also yielded no result.
Most Opposition parties, including the BJP and the Left, want the government bill withdrawn and a fresh “strong and effective” bill introduced comprising elements of the Jan Lokpal Bill.
–Agencies–