The deadlock between the Government and anti-corruption activists could not be broken despite two rounds of talks, even as the fast-unto-death by veteran Gandhian, Mr Anna Hazare, entered the third day on Thursday.
Sources said the decision to open negotiations with activists was taken after the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, held discussions with some of his Cabinet colleagues on Wednesday night. The talks on Thursday were held between the Union Minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, and activists Swami Agnivesh and Mr Arvind Kejriwal.
Meanwhile, the UPA chairperson and Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, is said to have also appealed to Mr Hazare to end his fast, assuring him that his views would receive the Government's “full attention”.
According to sources, the Government had agreed to all the demands of the activists but had reservations on two issues – issuing an official notification announcing the setting up of the anti-corruption committee and who would head it.
After the talks, Mr Kejriwal told protesters at the fast site at Jantar Mantar that the Government had agreed to their demand for a 50:50 representation for civil society activists and Government representatives on a joint committee for drafting the Lokpal Bill.
However, Mr Sibal had told them that the committee would not be constituted through an official notification but would be an informal one. Also, he said the Government had suggested the name of senior Congress leader Mr Pranab Mukherjee as head of the panel, which was rejected by the activists.
Mr Sibal said that Mr Hazare was of the view that a retired judge should head the panel instead.
Mr Kejriwal said they also told Mr Sibal that they could not wait till May 13, when the current Assembly elections would end, for beginning work on drafting the Bill.
Meanwhile, countrywide support continued to pour in for Mr Hazare, who has lost 1.5 kg in the past three days. The veteran Gandhian leader said he was not averse to dialogue but said that such discussions should take place with those who have the power to take decisions.
“Dialogue should take place with those who have power to take decisions, whether (Congress chief) Ms Sonia Gandhi or Prime Minister (Dr Manmohan Singh),” he said.