Jan Lokpal Bill: PM open to dialogue, Anna Hazare asks him to send representatives

NEW DELHI: With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh maintaining that the government is open to dialogue, Anna Hazare today suggested that he should send his representatives for discussion on Jan Lokpal Bill.

Kiran Bedi, one of the leading members of Team Anna, quoted Hazare as saying, "Let the government come forward to discuss the Jan Lokpal bill. Let the PM send his representatives."

She also ruled out that any negotiations were on between the two groups. "(Talk of) any negotiations are rumours," Bedi tweeted.

The suggestion came within hours of the Prime Minister saying that the government is open to a "reasoned debate" on the Lokpal Bill and that the Parliamentary panel examining it can propose changes.

"We are open to a reasoned debate on all these issues," Singh said at the golden jubilee function of the Indian Institute of Management in Kolkata.

As Hazare's fast demanding a strong Lokpal entered the seventh day, his close associates expressed concern over his deteriorating health.

His team asserted that they have no intention to topple the government but defended the Gandhian's remarks that it should go if the bill is not passed by August 30.

Hazare's hunger strike inched close to 150 hours as hundreds poured into Ramlila Maidan to express solidarity with the 73-year-old Gandhian who began his indefinite fast in police custody on August 16.

As his protest continued, Team Anna said they were yet to hear from the government side on the talks.