New Delhi: Backroom negotiations between the
government and activist Anna Hazare continued today amid
indication of little movement so far.
Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary U C Sarangi met
Hazare today - his third meeting with the activist since
Saturday evening - but sources said no fresh proposal was made
to team Hazare which is insisting on passage of its Jan Lokpal
Bill by August 30.
Sarangi, who reached Delhi on Saturday evening to talk to
Hazare, also met HRD Minister Kapil Sibal briefly.
Kiran Bedi, one of the leading members of Team Anna,
quoted Hazare as saying, "let the government come forward to
discuss the Jan Lokpal Bill. Let the PM send his
representatives."
She also ruled out that any negotiations were on between
the two groups. "(Talk of) any negotiations are rumours," Bedi
tweeted.
Spiritual leader Baiyyuji Maharaj, who has emerged as a
mediator, today said the government was trying "really hard"
to find a solution.
The Indore-based Maharaj, who is known to several top
politicians from Maharashtra, said the crux of the dialogue is
how much concession each side was ready for.
"I can tell you the government is trying really hard. I am
not supporting or favouring anybody but intentions of both
sides are very clear...," he said when asked about his role in
mediation process.
PTI
