PM appeals to Anna to end fast

Even as Anna Hazare announced that his fast against corruption will continue - the 74-year-old is now on his eighth day without food - his widely-welcomed movement against corruption seems to be heading into its third act.

The Prime Minister has written to the activist, urging him to end his hunger strike. In his letter, Dr Manmohan Singh wrote, "We are concerned about your health." He also assured Anna that the activists' version of the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill may be considered by a Parliamentary Committee, if the Speaker of the Lok Sabha permits. This committee - the Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Personnel - has so far been scrutinising the government's version of the Bill.

The Prime Minister met with Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi this evening as the government scrambled to find a compromise that will end the stand-off with Anna and his advisors.

The first set of talks were held by Law Minister Salman Khursheed who met with Anna's close aide, Arvind Kejriwal. After the meeting, Mr Kejriwal told reporters that the government has indicated Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will lead the negotiations with the activists. Sources in the Congress also say that the party is pressuring Rahul Gandhi to write to Anna.

"Time is running out," said Mr Khursheed. "We need to find a solution fast...and a solution is possible through such talks," said the Law Minister. The government's frantic attempts to engage Team Anna is provoked by the frail condition of Anna and by the seemingly inexhaustible supply of goodwill that draws people in unprecedented numbers to his sit-in at Ramlila Maidan in the Capital. Appearing on stage this morning amid reports of his worsening health, Anna said, "I am fine...I have lost 5.5 kilos but my fight continues." Anna said he still wants his version of the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill to be passed in Parliament. Till that happens, he vowed, he will not end his hunger strike. But his associates indicated subtle new elasticity in their comments today.

Team Anna objects to the government's version of the Lokpal Bill, on the grounds that it provides safe passage to public servants accused of corruption. The activists who front the India Against Corruption movement have drafted their own version of the Bill. Two weeks ago, the government ignored Team Anna's bill and introduced its own in Parliament. The activists declared war and delivered on their threat that Anna would start a fast and appeal to Indians to join his demonstration against corruption.

The government had underestimated Anna's appeal in a country confronting massive graft in everyday life and in its political landscape. While many of the thousands who show up to support Anna don't know how his bill differs from the government's, they say he will help cleanse a system rabid with official improbity.

Anna's health, the fanatical response to him, and the Opposition's support for him has forced the government into a corner from which it's trying to pry its way out. In the hope of engaging with the Opposition, an all-party meeting has been set for 3.30 tomorrow afternoon. Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is being used as a channel for negotiations between all three sides - the government, the Opposition and the activists.

Among Anna's main objections to the government's draft of the Lokpal Bill is that it doesn't apply to the PM, senior judges or junior bureaucrats. While the government may agree to let the Bill apply to the Prime Minister, the activists say they could be persuaded to accept other pieces of legislation that would tackle corruption among senior judges and junior bureaucrats.

The government's version of the Lokpal Bill has been placed with the Standing Committee of Law and Justice and Personnel - a panel that combines 31 MPs from different parties. Now a Congress MP, Praveen Aron, has tabled Anna's version of the Bill before the same committee. Congress sources say his gesture was encouraged by his party because it allows the Standing Committee to deliberate Anna's Bill as well, or add features from it to the government's version.

Anna Hazare Rejects Sonia's Appeal

Intensifying its campaign against corruption, Anna Hazare tonight next to Sonia Gandhi turned to him, his hunger strike to remove the government began talks on forming a joint committee to develop an effective Lokpal bill but no consensus on two critical aspects. Government today decided to form a committee of equal members of civil society and government representatives. But it is said to be subject to reservations, how to formally constitute it and give the presidency to a private person could set a precedent.

"I thank Sonia Gandhi, for his statement (referring to him so fast). Soniaji tell the government, the bill Lokpal be adopted as soon as possible," said Hazare appeal in a brief response to Gandhi.

His speech to the Assembly at the Jantar was met with broad approval from his supporters that his campaign was given fresh impetus in the country.

Under pressure from the increase in anti-corruption campaign met with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, his cabinet colleague Kapil Sibal met late into the night and discussed ways to provide a means to resolve the situation.

Sibal had, earlier in the day, two rounds of talks with envoys Hazare-Swami Agnivesh and Arvind Kejriwal sees "with Dr. Singh discussed the delicate issue of demanding the release of the Joint Committee of members of civil society and representatives of government and to the head.

Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar, was also present at the meeting.

At the talks in the morning according to the government, activists are calling for the establishment of the commission with five members from both sides, but no agreement on a formal application form and the requirement that must Hazare head. A new meeting between Sibal and the two emissaries to tomorrow morning.

As the hunger strike entered the third day put Congress president Sonia Gandhi to give the 72-year-old Gandhi, rapid and assured that their points of view, the government would receive all the attention.

She said she could not be two views on the urgent need to combat bribery and corruption in public life.

"I'm sure Hazareeji views, the government will receive all the attention, because we focus on this threat. I give to the claim of Anna to move your quick battle," Gandhi said in his appeal.

Hazaree government rejected the offer of an informal committee and promised that the conditions for ending their protest.

"I will fight to the death," said Hazare front of hundreds of supporters near Jantar here has everything to pick up the talks between the government and activists against corruption were blocked.

Expressed dissatisfaction with the government hesitates to reach with a message to the form of the Committee, said quickly.

There was even confusion in the camp of Hazare. Agnivesh and Kejriwal and the assembly demanded that the president must Hazare, but Gandhi himself said, wants only one committee member, who can be led by a retired judge to be made.

After his talks with Kejriwal Agnivesh and Sibal, said "We had two debates. We agree on most issues, but they disagree on two issues that are related to the subject of an official communication to the Commission and make Hazare President of the Commission.

"So we need more time, and tomorrow we will meet again and see who can be a process by which we can develop to move forward," he said.

The minister said the government has decided that the committee now and not after 13 can be formed, as proposed in the first round of talks, and no doubt will be the introduction of the bill in the monsoon session of Parliament.

The proposed panel has five members each from government and civil society. "The government has agreed to our demands. But our two demands have not been met. We teach Hazare," said Agnivesh.

Hazare, fans and supporters who have been asking the head of the commission, said he would not like the chair. "If you want I can be a member or consultant, but not the president," he said.

In the past, "said Kejriwal Hazare was of the opinion that a retired judge should be the President of the Commission, as the government proposed, Pranab Mukherjee, the supervisor.

However, he said, if this proposal forward to his followers, which unanimously demanded that Hazare, the Chairman of the Joint Commission has been established.

In his speech to his supporters in the night, because no politician said Hazare Lokpal bill is not to stop the "prey."

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