JOIN USPM offers talks, but Team Anna blows hot and cold
The government, however, insisted on a wider public mandate and a longer time-frame to arrive at a consensus over the need for a strong Lokpal.
On the second day of Hazare’s continuing fast, crowds swelled at the Ramlila ground and the movement drew increasing support from vast sections of society all over the country.
His hunger-strike due to enter the sixth day, the anti-corruption crusader appeared weak, although doctors monitoring his health, found all the health parameters normal.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, besides several Congress party leaders, indicated that changes in the Lokpal bill, already introduced in the Lok Sabha, in accordance with the civil society’s Jan Lokpal bill, were possible. The offer found response from Hazare’s confidante, Arvind Kejriwal, who wanted to know “whom should we meet, where should we meet and when should we meet”. The members of team Hazare, however, continued to spew defiance, declaring that they “cannot trust this government,” even as they called for the government to take the initiative and resume the talks.
On a day of hectic back-channel negotiations in the backdrop of crowds swelling at the Ramlila ground, civil rights activist Aruna Roy said her group would present “a third, alternative Lokpal bill” before the Parliamentary Standing Committee, currently scrutinizing the ‘Sarkari’ Lok Pal bill.
In another development, the Standing Committee has thrown its door open for suggestions and consultations on the Lokpal bill with the wider public. The Hazare-led civil rights group, however, described the move as “an eyewash” and a delaying tactic.
The tone of the day was set by the prime minister, who said there was a “lot of scope for give and take”. He said the government was open to “discussion and dialogue” on the issue.
Singh, who attended a full Planning Commission meeting at his residence here, called for a broad national consensus on the controversial anti-corruption measure and hoped that the government could 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 Hazare’s deadline for Parliament to pass the Jan Lokpal bill by August 30, the Prime Minister said: “Well, clearly I think there are difficulties. It is a logic of the legislative process.” He said certain stages had to be crossed and “I would not like to say or controvert anything else that has been said by somebody else.” He underlined the need for national consensus on a strong and effective Lok Pal.
Close on the heels of the conciliatory comments from the prime minister, the Parliamentary committee examining the government’s Lokpal Bill widened the doors of consultations with the public to strengthen the bill’s provisions.
“We are open to all options and views. Every aspect process, input, draft, suggestion and consequence is completely open...,” Congress MP Manu Singhvi, heading the committee, said. He did not rule out the committee agreeing to some of the provisions of the Jan Lok Pal bill of Team Anna.
The committee chairman, however, made it clear that it was not possible to meet the deadline of August 31, set by Anna Hazare-led civil society activists.
The committee is likely to invite members Team Anna and few other civil society groups for consultations on the matter, in the first week of September.
In yet another development that adds grist to Hazare mill, the blueprint of the 12th Five-year plan, that was approved by full meeting of Planning Commission under the chairmanship of the prime minister, observed that corruption was weakening the confidence of citizens in governance and was making the system vulnerable to manipulation by the rich and powerful, and most significantly called for setting up institutions like Lokpal and Lokayuktas.