Meeting on Anna's letter begins at PM's house

New Delhi, Aug 25 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, is presently presiding over a meeting of his key ministers here this evening to discuss veteran social activist Anna Hazare's latest message with regard to ending his fast and the impasse over the Lokpal Bill.

According to reports, Hazare sent a letter to the Prime Minister through Union Science and Technology Minister and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who met him at the Ramlila Ground for around 20 minutes earlier in the day.

Addressing the gathering at the Ramlila Ground earlier today, Hazare reiterated that he will end his fast only if there is a consensus on the three issues raised by civil society.

He placed three conditions before the government, which is inclusion of lower bureaucracy in the Lokpal bill, appointment of Lokayuktas in all states, and implementation of citizen's charter in government offices.

"The fight against corruption must continue even after I die. The Prime Minister has appreciated our movement in the Parliament. I thank the parliamentarians, who appreciated the movement," said Hazare.

"The government sent one of its ministers to me. Prime Minister says he is worried about my health. Why did he take 10 days to think? Discussion should start on Lokpal from tomorrow in Parliament. Lokayukta must be brought under Lokpal. The lower bureaucracy must be brought under the ambits of Lokpal and the citizen's charter must be formed," he added.

The 74-year-old social activist, whose fast for a strong Lokpal entered its tenth day today, said that he was awaiting a response from the Prime Minister.

Talks between the government and Team Anna ended in a deadlock on Wednesday night, with both sides failing to resolve key issues.

Hazare's representatives - Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi - were visibly upset at the lack of progress during the meetings with government negotiators.

They alleged that the government had done a U-turn and was not being serious about bringing in a strong anti-corruption law that would set up a powerful and an independent watchdog.

Hazare has been on a fast since August 16, the day he was arrested and taken to Tihar Jail. He was released the same day, but he refused to leave. He shifted to the Ramlila Ground in New Delhi on August 19, from where he has been continuing with his fast. (ANI)