Trying best to defuse situation: PM

By IANS,

New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday said that the government was doing its best to “defuse the situation” created by the fast of social activist Anna Hazare for a strong Lokpal bill but “anything can happen”.


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Talking to IANS in the expansive lawns of his official 7 Race Course Road residence during the Iftar dinner he hosted, Manmohan Singh, looking worried in the face of the looming crisis, said he couldn’t say what turn it would take in the next few days.

“I am not an astrologer,” he said in response to a question whether he was optimistic about a solution in the next few days. “But I remain hopeful.”

Manmohan Singh said the protesters should “listen to the political class”, a reference to the resolution passed at the all-party meeting he had convened Wednesday afternoon to find a solution to the crisis triggered by Hazare’s fast, which entered day nine Wednesday.

The prime minister expressed concern that hardliners might prevail and violence might break out.

Political parties issued a joint statement at the end of the all-party meeting convened just before the Iftar dinner saying that due consideration should be given to Hazare’s Jan Lokpal bill so that the final draft of the legislation provides for a “strong and effective” ombudsman.

“The meeting of all parties in parliament requests Anna Hazare to end his fast. The meeting was also of the view that due consideration should be given to the Jan Lokpal bill so that the final draft of the Lokpal bill provides for a strong and effective Lokpal which is supported by a broad national consensus,” the statement said.

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