Govt calls all-party meet on Lokpal as Hazare camp seems ready to talk

Amid indications that the Anna Hazare camp may be willing to talk to senior government members about modifications in their demanded anti-corruption lokpal bill, the government has called an all-party meeting at 3.30 pm on Wednesday to help resolve the issue.

Leaders of all political parties have been invited to attend the meet.

In a related development, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday held a detailed meeting with chairman of the parliamentary standing committee, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, looking into the Lokpal bill.

Singhvi had said on Monday that difference between the government and Hazare on the bill had more to do with methodology than content; adding that the committee on law and justice and personnel was open to all inputs towards sending a strong yet more widely acceptable okpal bill back to Parliament.

Amid some concern about the 73-year-old Hazare's health following his public hunger strike, he appeared on stage at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi and said, "I have been fasting for eight days but I am fine. There is no cause for concern. The doctors attending to me won't let me die. I've lost 5.5 kilos."

Doctors say Anna Hazare is weak but not in critical condition. Kiran Bedi, one of Anna's closest associates, tweeted at 11 am, "Each hour of delay will have serious costs! The government needs to realise this. Time is of absolute essence."