Anna's fast enters sixth day

Gandhian activist Anna Hazare's fast for a strong Lokpal bill entered the sixth day here Sunday, with thousands packing the spacious Ramlila ground.

Hazare, 74, 'is fine', an activist of India Against Corruption told IANS. 'He was fine till late yesterday, and so is the condition now I think.'

The volunteer added that a meeting of Hazare and his close aides was going on but the subject being discussed was not known.

An estimated 10,000 people were at the Ramlila ground Sunday morning, raising slogans hailing the Gandhian for insisting on an effective anti-corruption legislation.

A large number was also having breakfast provided by the organisers -- biscuits, bread pakora, patty, aloo puri, and tea.

Many poured through Hindi newspapers, also distributed for free at the site.

Hazare began his indefinite fast Aug 16 soon after his detention while he was proceeding to the J.P. Park.

The same day he was taken to Tihar Jail, where he remained until Friday when he shifted to the Ramlila ground.

source:Yahoo India

Ambika Soni goes defensive on Team Anna, claims door open for negotiation

With social activist Anna Hazare generating a mass support on the issue of Lokpal, the much humiliated Congress is making desperate efforts to salvage its image by claiming that the doors to negotiations to resolve the matter are still open.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni on Friday said, “I fail to understand why Team Anna has chosen the path of protest to find a solution to this complex issue. In any case, the Centre has accepted 34 points of bill made by Civil Society. There is difference of opinion on other points.”

She pointed out that the Government keeps the doors open for talks and dialogue. Soni accepted that Anna has received an overwhelming support from different parts of the country. “But it does not confirm that he has the support of entire India,” she added.

On being asked, whether the movement for a more effective Lokpal bill is the most challenging political crisis for UPA-2, she said, “I do not know, but our government is very serious to root out the menace of corruption. And it is true that as media exposed series of scam, people are very annoyed with politicians.”

Replying to a question on the sharp contrast in the public opinion on the crystal clear image of Prime Minister and the tainted representation of his cabinet, Soni said, “Perhaps this is the anger of people against politicians who have been involved in scams and scandals. Irrespective of the fact that who is leading the campaign, people tend to support any raised against corruption.”

Source: JPN/