Anna can't talk to PC, Sibal; wants PMO, Rahul as mediators

New Delhi, Aug 22: On the seventh day of his indefinite fast, social activist Anna Hazare seems to be more adamant in his fight to enact a strong Lokpal Bill to end the growing corruption in the country. On Monday, Aug 22, Anna Hazare told media that he will only negotiate with Prime Minister's Office or Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi.

Speaking to CNN IBN reporter at Ramlila Maidan, Anna Hazare said that he is not ready to talk with Union Home Minister P Chidambaram or Union Telecom and HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, but will accept PMO, Rahul Gandhi or Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan as the mediators.

Gandhian Anna Hazare, who started his fast from Tihar jail after his arrest by Delhi police before his proposed fast protest at Jantar Mantar, said civil society members and his team are flexible on the issue regarding the inclusion of Judiciary under Lokpal ambit. Anna said that if judiciary is not included in the Lokpal, a strong judicial accountability is needed.

Team Anna demanded the government to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in the Parliament by Aug 30. Social activist and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ensure passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill by Aug 30.

"The Prime Minister should ensure passage of Jan Lokpal Bill and then only the intention of what he said could come true," Kiran Bedi said.

"Your bill is very weak. Please understand that....You take five minutes to clear a bill if it is about your salary. Get the Jan Lokpal Bill passed. Still there are five-six days left," she said.

OneIndia News