Battle lines became sharper between the Government and Mr Anna Hazare's team on the Lokpal Bill Joint Drafting Committee, with both sides referring to each other as “rigid”.
But, at the same time, both sides also declared that no effort would be spared to bring forth a “strong” Lokpal Bill.
“I will go ahead with my decision to fast from August 16. We are ready to face ‘
Later, taking exception to the language used by civil society members, the Human Resource Development Minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, said “All we wanted is further discussion on substantive issues. You can't threaten a negotiating process by talking as well as announcing a fast.”
Addressing the media, Mr Sibal said the Government was committed to completing the draft by June 30, “hopefully with the co-operation from the five members nominated by Mr Hazare”.
On the charge made by activist Mr Arvind Kejriwal on transparency, Mr Sibal said everything had been noted down in the minutes of every meeting which would be put up on the Web site.
The Home Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, also flayed civil society members for reducing such a ‘complex Bill' to binary choices.
He said the political reality also had to be kept in mind. “No party commands majority in Parliament. We are not the only elected representatives, there are others political parties whose views need to be taken.”
On the Prime Minister's post under Lokpal, he said it was open to discussion.
Earlier, the Law Minister, Mr Veerappa Moily, told reporters that the Government had agreed to 34 out of 40 principles laid down by civil society members. He said once ready, the draft Bill had to be referred to various ministries for consultation and then sent to the Cabinet.
In Parliament, after introduction, the Bill would have to go to the Standing Committee for further scrutiny, he added.