Thaindian News

New Delhi, Apr 8 (ANI): With veteran social activist Anna Hazare continuing his fast-unto-death for a fourth day on Friday to push the government into introducing a tough new law to curb corruption among politicians and bureaucrats, Congress President Sonia Gandhi met the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and discussed the Jan Lokpal Bill issue.

According to reports, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal and Sonia Gandhi’s Political Secretary Ahmad Patel were also present in the meeting, which took place at the Prime Minister’s official 7 Race Course Road residence.

Hazare had on Thursday night brushed aside Sonia Gandhi’s appeal to him to withdraw his hunger strike, as the government initiated talks on formation of a joint committee to draft an effective Lokpal Bill, but there was no consensus on two crucial aspects.

“I am pained by Hazare’s fast-unto-death. Hazare has raised a grave issue; the government will pay full attention to it. There can be no two views on the urgent necessity of combating graft and corruption in public life,” said Gandhi.

“I believe that the lows in these matters must be effective and must deliver the desired result. I am sure that Anna Hazare ji’s view will receive the government’s full attention, as we move forward to fight this menace. I appeal to Anna ji to give up his fast,” she added.

The government talked tough on Hazare’s demand for an effective Lokpal Bill earlier today, saying it cannot accede to the demands of the chairmanship of the joint drafting committee being given to a civil society member and for issuing an official notification.

A meeting of Sibal with anti-corruption activists Swami Agnivesh and Arvind Kejriwal, which was scheduled to be held this morning, did not take place with both sides saying they were waiting for each other.

According to reports, Sibal later held a held a telephonic conversation with Agnivesh, where the former clearly stated the government’s stand on the issue and also called for another round of talks at 6 p.m. today.

“Only government officials will be members of the join drafting committee. We are willing to issue an official letter instead of a notification from the department of the government of India, maybe the Law ministry, to constitute the committee. All the other conditions are acceptable to us,” said Sibal.

“Third round of talks between government and anti-corruption activists on Lokpal Bill issue will be held at 6 p.m.,” he added. (ANI)