PM says Hazare bill can be debated in house

Political parties in Parliament today almost unanimously made a renewed appeal to social activist Anna Hazare from Parliament requesting him to withdraw his fast, while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seemed to make a considerable concession to 'team Anna' by saying that the Jan Lokpal bill, the Hazare team's version of an anti-corruption bill, would be discussed in the house along with other versions.

Parliament will discuss the weak and strong points of the Jan Lokpal as well as other versions of the bill and send entire record for consideration of the standing committee, the prime minister said.

''We are open to persuasion. We have an open mind on the Lokpal issue,'' Singh said in an address to the Lok Sabha, but made it clear a final bill would be passed only through proper Parliamentary procedures.

''There is need to collectively find credible solutions to corruption,'' Singh said.

In a fresh appeal to Hazare, the prime minister said, ''I respect Anna Hazare's idealism. I applaud and salute him. His life is much too precious, I urge him to end his fast.''

Earlier this morning, the prime minister had he was "hopeful of a solution" that will persuade Hazare to end his hunger strike, now in its 10th day.