Even as Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh called for a “reasoned debate” on the Lokpal issue, veteran social activist, Mr Anna Hazare, said the PM should send his emissaries for talks.
Mr Hazare’s aide, Ms Kiran Bedi, quoted him as saying, “Let the Government come forward to discuss the Jan Lokpal Bill. Let the PM send his representatives.”
The suggestion came within hours of Dr Singh saying that his Government was open to a “reasoned debate” and that the Parliamentary panel examining it could propose changes. He was addressing the golden jubilee function of the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta on Monday.
Earlier, senior BJP leader, Mr L K Advani, demanded the PM’s resignation on the corruption issue and called for a fresh mandate. Team Anna, however, made it clear that they had no intention to topple the Government. At the same, it also defended Mr Hazare’s call on Sunday that the Government should go if the Jan Lokpal is not passed by August 30.
As the 74-year-old Mr Hazare’s fast entered the seventh day, the anti-graft protest gathered steam. Crowds thronged the Ramlila Grounds, with a public holiday adding to the numbers.
Across the country, protesters gathered outside the houses of their MPs and other elected representatives. Dharnas were held outside the residences of Mr Kapil Sibal, Ms Sheila Dikshit, Mr Kamal Nath, Mr Subodh Kant Sahay in Delhi.
In Bangalore, Rajya Sabha MP, Mr Rajeev Chandrashekhar addressed a 3,000-strong public meeting at Freedom Park in support of Mr Hazare.