Govt talks to Hazare’s men, deadlock on panel head

New Delhi: Government today began talks with anti-corruption campaigners led by Gandhian Anna Hazare and agreed to form a joint committee to draft an effective Lokpal Bill but there was no consensus on who will head it and whether it should be notified.
As his hunger strike entered the third day, the 71-year-old social activist rejected government’s offer of an informal committee and vowed not to end his protest till the demands are met.
“I will fight till death,” he said addressing hundreds of supporters gathered near Jantar Mantar here after word spread that talks between government and anti-corruption activists were deadlocked.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the government’s reluctance to come out with a notification to constitute the committee, he said his fast will continue.