By IANS,
New Delhi : Team Anna said it had “fruitful and constructive” discussions with the government at the first formal talks here late Tuesday between the two sides on the Lokpal bill after Anna Hazare began his fast Aug 16. They said they were also asked to persuade him to end his eight-day-old fast.
“Main issues were discussed. They will tell their stand after talking to the prime minister,” Arvind Kejriwal, an associate of Hazare said after the talks that lasted almost three hours.
Prashant Bhushan, another associate of Hazare, said the talks were held in good atmosphere and were “fruitful and constructive”.
“They have requested us to request Annaji to break his fast,” Bhushan said.
Kiran Bedi, who was the third representative of Team Hazare at the talks, said it would be difficult to persuade Hazare to end his fast without a concrete, written assurance from the government.
Apart from Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Law Minister Salman Khurshid represented the government at the talks. Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit was also present.