Govt, team Anna back on table

After a series of skirmishes over the last few days, the government and Anna Hazare-led civil society representatives will again meet on the draft lokpal bill negotiating table on Wednesday.

After a series of skirmishes over the last few days, the government and Anna Hazare-led civil society representatives will again meet on the draft lokpal bill negotiating table on Wednesday. Civil society members had threatened a walk-out after differences over bringing the Prime Minister and judiciary under the Lokpal.

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The scenario has changed completely since the two sides last met on May 30, with the government and the Congress on an offensive against civil society activists, buoyed with successfully breaking Baba Ramdev’s fast. Though tempers appeared to have cooled down a bit from both sides on Tuesday after days of strong verbal attacks against each other, the level of mutual mistrust remains high.

“We feel the government has accepted some of our demands and a lot more needs to be done. There is time till June 30,” Hazare, who turns 74 on Wed-nesday, said on his arrival in the Capital. He said conversation rather than confrontation was the way forward.

The government hinted that it was in no hurry to call off the talks.

“Differences are there, but it is a part of the democratic process,” said a government representative on the joint panel.