My comments were distorted, says Pranab

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee today said his comments on Anna Hazare were distorted and government representatives did not say that the health of the social activist, who has been fasting for 10 days for a strong Lokpal Bill, was not their concern.

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said his comments on Anna Hazare were distorted and government representatives did not say that the health of the social activist, who has been fasting for 10 days for a strong Lokpal Bill, was not their concern.

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"I would like to put on record that my statement was distorted in the media. I did not say anything at the meeting last night. I had appealed Anna to give up his fast," Mukherjee said in the Lok Sabha.

He was responding to leader Of opposition Sushma Swaraj, who sought a clarification from Mukherjee. She said that there was confusion over the outcome of the ministers' talks with Team Anna and the government should clarify the matter to the people of the country by making a statement on the floor of the house.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said she had heard statements from civil society members that the government had told them that Hazare could go on fasting.