New Delhi:
Anna Hazare has lost five kilos since his hunger strike began last Monday; by noon today, a national holiday for Janmashtami, there were 25,000 people gathered at his base camp at Ramlila Maidan; and supporters of the anti-corruption activist say they have not received any formal proposal from the government for a discussion. (
Read: Who is Anna Hazare?) | (
Read: What is Jan Lokpal Bill?)
Anna's associates have also told the government that they're dissatisfied with the mediators sent to them so far for informal talks. The emissaries deputed over the weekend were from Anna's home state of Maharashtra; but the activists want representatives of national stature.
Anna Hazare wants the Prime Minister, a Union Minister or Rahul Gandhi to negotiate.
Law Minister Salman Khursheed told NDTV that while dialogue is necessary, "A solution to complex issues cannot be delivered within two-three days." He also said that how and when the discussion should begin is being debated. In Kolkata, the Prime Minister reiterated that the government is open to a "reasoned debate on the anti-corruption Lokpal bill, but said, "The creation of the Lok Pal as an institution will help. But it will not solve the problem. It needs to be supported by improvements in the pace and quality of judicial processes."
Team Anna, as the Gandhian's advisors are referred to, say they will not give up their demand for their version of the Lokpal Bill to be passed by Parliament by August 30. They are empowered by the endless stream of supporters who poured into Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, chanting, "Anna,
tum sangharsh karo, hum tumhaare saath hain (Anna, you keep fighting, we are with you)."
The images of the massive crowds - at least 50,000 according to some estimates and a lakh according to others - reinforced the need for the government to move quickly to find a compromise with Anna. So Umesh Chandra Sarangi, a senior bureaucrat from Anna's home state of Maharashtra and spiritual guru Bhaiyyu Maharaj held separate meetings with Anna's associates through Sunday.
Umesh Chandra Sarangi, the Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra met Kapil Sibal today. Mr Sarangi was Principal Secretary to the former Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh, and had dealt with Mr. Hazare during that period. The Maharashtra bureaucrat is said to share a good rapport with Anna Hazare.
Arvind Kejriwal, a member of Anna's core team, said today that the activists' aim is not to destabilize the government. He also denied allegations that by asking people to protest outside the homes of ministers and MPs, he is inciting hooliganism. In Delhi today, a small group of people protested at the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit; demonstrations have been planned at the homes of Mumbai MPs like Milind Deora this afternoon.
"We have simply asked people to protest peacefully," clarified Mr Kejriwal. (
Read: Hooliganism charges against Team Anna false, says Kejriwal) Countering charges that Anna's movement is undermining Parliament and its right to legislate, Mr Kejriwal said, "What is democracy? It is not just voting once every five years and handing over your destiny to representatives. It is day-to-day engagement with your representatives." (
Read: Government begins back-channel talks with Anna)
The Lokpal Bill was introduced earlier this month in Parliament by the government and is now being studied by a parliamentary committee. Anna and his group of activists say the government's draft makes a mockery of any attempt to eradicate graft. They've developed their own version of the Bill and they want it approved in Parliament by August 30. Government representatives, and the PM, have stressed that they are open to negotiations and discussions over the Lokpal Bill, but say the deadline imposed upon them in unrealistic and inappropriate. In Kolkata today, Dr Manmohan Singh stressed, "We are open to a debate on all these issues. The creation of a Lokpal will no doubt help... but it will not solve the problem." (
Read: PM again stresses Govt is open to Lokpal discussions)
Dr Singh also repeated a phrase used often by him in the last few weeks - that the government does not have "a magic wand" to fight corruption. In the last few months, Dr Singh's government has in bumper-car style collided into one financial scandal after another. In each case, those elected to public office conspired to loot the nation of thousands of crores. The scandals have reinforced what so many Indians undergo on daily basis - the demand for bribes to get a driver's licence, an electricity connection for a new home, a marksheet from college that a student is entitled to - that has positioned Anna as the centrifugal force of a nationwide demonstration demanding a better, cleaner system.
Acknowledging his role as a mediator between Team Anna and the government, Bhaiyyu Maharaj said last night, "I can tell you the government is trying very hard. There may be communication gaps, but the differences can be sorted out if we talk. It is very clear both sides want the Lopkal Bill." (
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