PM open for ‘reasoned debate’ on Lokpal Bill
New Delhi: Indications that Anna Hazare and government may engage in a dialogue emerged on Monday with the Gandhian asking a representative to be named for the purpose by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who has expressed a willingness to have a “reasoned debate” on the issue.
Kiran Bedi, one of the leading members of Team Anna, quoted Hazare, who is on fast for last seven days, as saying that “let the government come forward to discuss the Jan Lokpal Bill. Let the PM send his representatives.”
A senior Marathi journalist Nikhil Wagle, who met the 73-year-old Gandhian, quoted him as saying that Lokpal Bill negotiations cannot happen with non-government mediators and added Hazare can talk to the Prime Minister’s Office or Rahul Gandhi. Hazare also said he was ready to talk with Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, according to Wagle.
Earlier, the Prime Minister said the government is open to a “reasoned debate” on the Lokpal Bill and that the Parliamentary panel examining it can propose changes.
“We are open to a reasoned debate on all these issues,” Singh said at the golden jubilee function of the Indian Institute of Management in Kolkata. Hazare’s hunger strike crossed 150 hours as hundreds of people poured into Ramlila Maidan to express solidarity with the Gandhian who began his indefinite fast in police custody on August 16. As his protest continued, Team Anna said they were yet to hear from the government side on the talks. “(Talk of) any negotiations are rumours,” Bedi tweeted. Though doctors maintained Hazare was “fine”, the Team Anna expressed concern over his health and claimed the Gandhian’s kidney was “infected.”
“Anna is fasting for the cause of this country. We are peacefully protesting here….We will not get up from here,” Bedi said and demanded the Prime Minister should come to Ramlila Maidan and listen to them.
“The Prime Minister should ensure passage of Jan Lokpal Bill and then only the intention of what he said could come true,” she said referring to Singh’s remarks.