Team Anna to govt.: Withdraw Bill, will talk

Social activist Anna Hazare at the core committee
 meeting of the "India Against Corruption" movement
 during 6th day of his fast at Ramlila Ground in
New Delhi on Sunday

Team Anna on Sunday said the government should appoint a negotiator to hold talks with Anna Hazare on the Jan Lokpal Bill and withdraw its draft from Parliament to create “an atmosphere of trust”.

Swami Agnivesh, one of the members of Team Anna’s core committee, said they were open for talks but the government should create an atmosphere for it.

“If the government wants to talk to us it should appoint a negotiator,” he said.

“We are open for talks. In order to open a door for dialogue, the government has to create an atmosphere. They have to create an atmosphere of trust by withdrawing the government Bill from Parliament and introduce Jan Lokpal Bill. We will not budge from our stand. This is the least they should do to earn our trust,” Swami Agnivesh said.

To questions on “strong words” being used by both government and members of Team Anna, Swami Agnivesh said it would be good if both sides desist from using “such phrases” which could lead to any kind of confrontation.

On the meeting between senior Maharashtra government official and Mr. Hazare, he said the official has known the social activist for a long time and he met him in his personal capacity.