Lokpal row back to 'square one' as talks fail

New Delhi, Aug 25 (IANS) Talks between the government and Anna Hazare's team on a sweeping anti-corruption law ended in a deadlock Wednesday night, shattering hopes of an early resolution to spiralling political crisis triggered by the social activist''s indefinite fast

At the latest round of talks between the two sides, the civil society activists insisted that their version of the Lokpal bill should be passed expeditiously, but the government refused to bypass parliamentary procedures.

Hazare's representatives -- Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi were visibly upset at the lack of progress in a 90-minute meeting with government negotiators led by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

'We are quite disappointed with today's meeting. We will have to start from scratch if talks have to continue,' Bhushan told reporters.

He said the government on Tuesday had promised that their demands would be 'considered sympathetically' but 'unfortunately we have to report that we are back to square one'.

The government said the parliament procedure of the standing committee could 'not be short-circuited', Bhushan said.

But the government appeared positive and denied that the talks had been stalemated.

'Neither there is any question of going back to square one nor the question of government changing its attitude,' Mukherjee said.

Law Minister Salman Khursheed said they were still talking and would have another round Thursday. 'How can there be any breakdown when they said they would come again at 12 tomorrow.'

Hazare - whose health was failing due to his continuous fast - said the deadlock had exposed the government's 'true face'. as

He asked his supporters that he had sensed a government gameplan of evicting him forcibly from the Ramlila ground where he has been on a hunger strike.

'My appeal to you is please maintain peace. If they evict me, please don't stop them,' Hazare addressed the crowd amid a huge applause.

'If you stop them, violence may break out. We will maintain calm.' The determined 74-year-old activist refused to end his fast even as his health was deteriorating.

The government insisted that parliamentary procedures could not be bypassed and the basis of negotiations must be its version of Lokpal bill, which is now being examined by parliament's standing committee.

'We have been told that the parliament procedure of the standing committee cannot be short-circuited,' said Bhushan.

Mukherjee confirmed the point of respecting the procedures which was also underlined by major political parties at an all-party meeting earlier.

Political parties, however, asked the government to replace its bill and bring in a stronger legislation

The finance minister the government would implement the spirit of the decision at the all-party meeting, referring its recommendations that due consideration should be given to Jan Lokpal Bill, prepared by Team Anna.

As the all-party meeting urged Hazare to end his fast, a worried Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said 'anything can happen' even as efforts were on to 'defuse' the crisis.

In his remarks at the all-party meeting, Manmohan Singh said Hazare desired a written commitment from the government that it will bring a new version of the Lokpal bill and pass it in this session of parliament.

'The fast of Hazareji and his failing health are a matter of concern to all of us,' Manmohan Singh said.

He admitted there was a need for 'a strong and independent institution (to) deal effectively with corruption', but said parliamentary forums cannot be bypassed while framing law.

Later, at the iftar dinner on the lawns of his residence immediately after the all-party meeting, Manmohan Singh told IANS that the government was doing its best to 'defuse the situation' but was worried that 'anything can happen'.