Fresh round of Hazare-government talks collapse in acrimony

A third round of talks between the government and the Anna Hazare-led civil society activists on the Lokpal bill held late on Wednesday ended without any clear signs of a breakthrough.

Yet another round of talks on creating a national anti-corruption watchdog will be held on Thursday, according to reports.

"No progress was made in talks with government," Prashant Bhushan, activist lawyer and close Hazare aide, said. "It is unfortunate that we have to report that talks are back to square one. We are disappointed with today's meeting. We have to start again."

Arvind Kejriwal, another senior member of 'team Anna,' said, "The government has gone back on some of the concessions it promised us in Tuesday's meeting.''

The first round of talks, led by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, was held on Tuesday night, and the second round on Wednesday around noon.

The 'civil society' representatives were represented by Kejriwal, Bhushan and former senior policewoman Kiran Bedi.