New Delhi:
As Gandhian Anna Hazare's fast entered sixth day today, the social activist and his team said that they have not closed the doors of dialogue with the government but so far, no proposal has come to them for talks.
"We have not closed the door of dialogue. We have kept it open. Only through dialogue the issues can be resolved," Mr Hazare said while addressing his supporters today.
"With whom and where should we discuss what?" Arvind Kejriwal, a key aide of Hazare, said announcing the five decisions taken at the core committee meeting of India Against Corruption this morning. (
Read: Who is Anna Hazare?) | (
Read: What is Jan Lokpal Bill?)
Team Anna's comments come a day after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh hit a conciliatory note on Saturday saying there is a lot of scope for give and take.
"We have presented a Lokpal Bill in Parliament. This was the demand of all political parties when I convened that conference (on July 3). They said we can't give you our viewpoint unless and until you come out with a draft. We have fulfilled that obligation. We are open to discussion and dialogue. We would like a broad national consensus to emerge. We are all in favour of Lokpal which is strong, which is effective. And, therefore, there is a lot of scope for give and take and our hope is that we 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," said the Prime Minister. (
Read and watch: Committed to strong Lokpal, says PM)
He also said that Team Anna should understand that the legislative process does take time.
"Certain stages have to be crossed and we hope people will appreciate that there is a dynamic of legislative process that takes time to get over. We must work together to push forward the case for strong and effective Lokpal, and should remove obstacles in the way," the Prime Minister said.
Meanwhile, there's a massive buildup in the Ramlila Ground. According to the police, there are 28,000 people at the protest venue. The activists have planned a protest march from the India Gate to Ramlila Ground; it is scheduled to start at 5 pm.
Yesterday,
Team Anna upped the ante, setting August 30 as the deadline to pass its version of the Lokpal Bill.
"If the government has realised what sort of a Lokpal Bill the people want, then there will be no problem to pass it till August 30. Monday is a holiday for the Parliament. They can withdraw their Bill and introduce Jan Lokpal on Tuesday. On August 29, 30, it can be passed," former Law Minister and close Anna associate Shanti Bhushan said. (
Read: Table Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament on Tuesday, says Team Anna)
On Day 5 of Anna's fast yesterday, Parliament's Standing Committee on Law and Justice that's
examining the Lokpal Bill brought out an advertisement in all leading newspapers, inviting public views on the Lokpal Bill within 15 days. However, the Anna camp claimed the government is not serious.
While the government officially maintains it cannot table the Jan Lokpal Bill proposed by Team Anna in Parliament, there are indications that the Standing Committee may consider incorporating some of its elements in the government's Bill. The process, however, is expected to take time.
"If we, at the Standing Committee, complete the entire process of consultations, analysis and arrive at a decision by August 30, will you not make fun of us? You will accuse us of not applying our minds," said Abhishek Manu Singvi, the committee's Chairman. (
Read and watch: No time limit can be specified on Lokpal Bill, says Congress)
Sources have told NDTV that the committee will meet in the first week of September to discuss the bill. Thereafter, it is likely to invite Team Anna to share its views.
Interestingly, just hours after the Anna camp set a new deadline for the government, other powerful voices within the civil society spoke out, criticising both the government and Team Anna's versions of the Lokpal bill. Prominent members of the National Campaign for People's Right to Information (NCPRI) presented their own version of the Bill before the media.
"We have differences with Team Anna's version of the Lokpal Bill....They should consult the House panel...The Standing Committee is an important institution...We cannot get rid of institutions," said Aruna Roy, a member of the National Advisory Council. (
Read: Anna ill-advised, govt's Lokpal Bill can still be changed, says Aruna Roy)
Today, Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal hit back saying with a 120 crore strong civil society differences are bound to exist.
While the fresh deadline set by the Team Anna may be seen by many as shifting of the goalposts, it has undoubtedly put more pressure on the government that's already on the backfoot. Given the massive public support Anna Hazare's crusade has received, perhaps, time is running out for the government, and its options fairly limited.