It was advantage Anna Hazare, as the Government finally agreed to a debate the Jan Lokpal Bill, along with other versions, in Parliament on Friday. The modalities of Parliamentary procedures were being worked out.
The ice broke after the Government opened a direct channel with Mr Hazare when former Maharashtra Chief Minister Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh met the Gandhian and carried back to the Prime Minister a letter spelling out three conditions .
Mr Hazare wanted a written assurance on an immediate debate in Parliament on the inclusion of the lower bureaucracy and Lokayuktas under the Lokpal. Significantly, the demand for PM's inclusion did not figure.
Dr Manmohan Singh called a meeting of senior ministers that agreed to a Parliament debate on Friday. Earlier, the Lok Sabha, including the Leader of the Opposition and the Speaker, had joined the Prime Minister in appealing to Mr Hazare to end his fast.