Lokpal Bill: Govt bows to janata mantra as Sonia Gandhi too backs Anna Hazare's crusade-Apr 8, 2011

Lokpal Bill: Govt bows to janata mantra as Sonia Gandhi too backs Anna Hazare's crusade

TNN | Apr 8, 2011, 12.41am IST


Social activists Anna Hazare speaks to his supporters during the 3rd day of his indefinite fast for Jan Lokpal Bill, in New Delhi on Thursday. (PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI: Three days after Anna Hazare began fasting to demand civil society's participation in drafting the Lokpal Bill — which will provide for a mechanism to check government corruption — a ringing endorsement by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has pushed the government into a corner.

The Gandhian leader is still fasting but Sonia's appeal to Hazare to give up his fast and her assurance that "I am sure that Anna Hazareji's views will receive the government's full attention as we move forward to fight this menace (of corruption)" are a clear signal to the government to speedily make peace with the agitators before the political cost of appearing unmindful of corruption becomes too high.

In fact, the government has already conceded the demand of forming a 50-50 joint committee comprising government and civil society to redraft the Lokpal Bill. There are still two sticking points — one, on who will head the joint committee and two, an official notification on the formation of the committee.

(Read: Anna Hazare gives govt a poll fright)

(Read: Hazare's fan club grows by leaps and bounds on Facebook, Twitter)

As the 72-year-old Gandhian continued with his fast unto death pending a resolution of the two sticking points, the agitation spread like wildfire on social networks, drew people onto the streets in several cities and dominated media. This support has just been growing and has forced the government to soften its stand on the agitation which, on day one, it described as a proxy battle on behalf of the government's political opponents.

Sonia Gandhi stepped in on Thursday to say that she was pained by Hazare's fast. She said: "The issues he has raised are of grave public concern. There could be no two views on combating graft in public life. I believe that the laws in these matters must be effective and deliver desired results," she said.

On his part, the Gandhian thanked Sonia for her support. "If Sonia orders (the government) our remaining demands will be met," he said.

Earlier in the day, there was a meeting between telecom minister Kapil Sibal and activists Arvind Kejriwal and Swami Agnivesh. There wasn't a breakthrough although Sibal accepted the demand for a joint committee. Sibal met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh late on Thursday evening.

Sibal said there was no agreement as yet on the activists' demand for a government order notifying such a committee and on Hazare chairing it. While the government swallowed its pride on a joint committee and it seemed a matter of time before it accepts the other demands, it might drag on for a few days.

(Read: In Karnataka, Lokayukta the real opposition)

(Read: Uneasiness within civil society growing)

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The suggestion that another meeting might be needed on Friday after the PM's return from Assam saw Hazare again lashing out at corrupt ministers, warning that people's power will send the government packing if it did not understand the language of the people.

While the government is unhappy about a joint committee chaired by Hazare or some other activist leader, this pales before the fear of the corruption stain spreading and taking an unacceptable political toll on the ruling UPA. Some leaders pointed out that dilatory tactics often proved damaging as the government learnt to its own cost when it dragged its feet before accepting the demand for a JPC on the 2G scam.

At Wednesday's cabinet meeting, ministers voiced the view that the Hazare gale should not be allowed to gather more force. It was also felt that anti-government interests might infiltrate the agitation if it was not nipped now. In short, the overwhelming sentiment was that the government should make peace with the protestors quickly.

(Read: Sena MLA slams Anna Hazare)

(Read: Hazare as joint panel head still sticking point)