Differences can be resolved through dialogue: Anna to govt

Amid a war of words between government and civil society members over Lok Pal Bill, both sides will meet here tomorrow for its drafting even as Anna Hazare today reminded the ministers that differences could be resolved through dialogue and not through confrontation.

As the government and Congress continued its attack on the civil society members, Hazare said he cannot force anyone not to level allegations like he was a mask of RSS or BJP by putting a hand on their mouth, but said the civil society has every right to raise issues.

The activists, who have shot off letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, will push for the inclusion of Prime Minister, judiciary and MPs under the ambit of the Lok Pal, an issue on which government is at loggerheads with the civil society.

"Differences can be resolved through talks but not through confrontation. We feel that the government has accepted some of our demands and a lot more needs to be done. There is time till June 30," he told reporters here. "If nothing happens, we will see then," he added.

He said the civil society would put forth their views during tomorrow's meeting and if their demands were not met, they would start their agitation again.

The last meeting on June six was boycotted by the civil society side to protest the police crackdown on Ramdev's rally.

The Congress has called Hazare an "unelected tyrant" while the civil society has taken exception to Mukherjee's remarks that they were undermining democracy.

Asked about allegations that he was associated with RSS and BJP, Hazare said, "How can I put hand on their mouth (and prevent them from making allegations)? In my lifetime, I have never gone close to any political party. Every party is similar. Some are graduates in corruption, while others have got doctorates in corruption."