New Delhi, Aug 24: In an indication of toughening of its stand, Government today made it clear to Team Anna that it would not undermine Parliament and its Lokpal Bill, while maintaining that a broad national consensus on the issue has to be found.
After its second meeting in the day with the three-member Hazare team, the government said talks between them have been “positive” and hoped that such circumstances will be created so that the Gandhian will break his fast.
“Talks are going on in a positive manner. We will also have talks tomorrow. The context and priority is Anna's health. We are concerned about his health. We hope to create circumstances and situation to see that Anna breaks his fast,” Law Minister Salman Khurshid told reporters after the nearly 90-minute meeting.
“We cannot undermine the official bill passed by the Cabinet. A broad national consensus, as suggested by all parties needs to be evolved,” Khurshid said.
Khurshid also made it clear that the government would not undermine Parliament and its procedures and said, “each one of us are trying to ensure that a broad national consensus falls in place.”
Noting that the talks are headed towards the “right direction”, he said the government was trying to bring on board the points raised by friends of Anna Hazare as part of the broad national consensus. “I hope all issues will be worked out.”
East Delhi MP Sandeep Dikshit, who was also present during the talks, said the discussions are progressing “slowly but steadily” and added that the sticky issues would be again discussed tomorrow.
When asked about the increased police deployment around Ramlila Maidan and any possibility of the government forcibly admitting fasting Hazare in the hospital, Khurshid said he was not aware of any such thing. “It is not for me to comment.” PTI
