Government will have to either bring the Lokpal Bill or go: Hazare
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Even as hopes of negotiations emerged on Sunday, Anna Hazare upped the stakes on the Lokpal Bill issue.
Reasserting his August 30 deadline, the activist today warned the Centre that it will face 'an unprecedented revolution in the country on August 30' if the Lokpal bill is not passed.
He added that the government 'will have to either bring the Lokpal Bill or go'.
Earlier today, speculation was rife about back-room negotiations to resolve differences between Centre and Anna Hazare after a senior Maharashtra government official met the activist here, but his team ruled out any compromise on its demand for bringing Prime Minister and higher judiciary within Lokpal's ambit.
Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary Umesh Chandra Sarangi visited Hazare last night at the Ramlila Maidan, where he is on an indefinite hunger strike demanding a strong Lokpal, a meeting described by Team Anna as 'personal' while maintaining that 'no compromise formula' was discussed.
Team Anna also decided not to climb down from its position on bringing the Prime Minister and higher judiciary in Lokpal's ambit but kept its door open for negotiations if the government 'earns their trust' by withdrawing the Lokpal Bill from Parliament.
Also, RTI crusader Arvind Kejriwal, a key figure in Anna Hazare's crusade against corruption, has demanded the time and venue from the government to discuss the concerned matter.
"The Prime Minister said that the government was ready for talks. Then very humbly, we want to ask the Prime Minister that he should tell us where to come, to whom to talk to and at what time?" said Kejriwal.
Team Anna have stressed on the need for a government-appointed negotiator to hold talks with Anna Hazare on the Jan Lokpal Bill.
Swami Agnivesh, one of the members of Team Anna's core committee, said they were open for talks but the government should create an atmosphere for it.
"If the government wants to talk to us it should appoint a negotiator," he said.
"We are open for talks. In order to open a door for dialogue, the government has to create an atmosphere. They have to create an atmosphere of trust by withdrawing the government bill from Parliament and introduce Jan Lokpal Bill. We will not budge from our stand. This is the least they should do to earn our trust," Agnivesh said.
To questions on 'strong words' being used by both government and members of Team Anna, Agnivesh said it would be good if both sides desist from using 'such phrases' which could lead to any kind of confrontation.
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