Talks with govt fail, Ramdev to go on fast

After a five-hour marathon meeting, the government and Baba Ramdev today failed to reach a compromise on the demands raised by the yoga guru, who said he will launch his indefinite fast tomorrow as planned.

Emerging from the meeting at a hotel here, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said the two sides had constructive dialogue on several matters and they are very happy with the progress but these issues cannot be resolved in a day.

"We have yet not reached a compromise and I will sit on fast [from tomorrow]," Ramdev said after his meeting with Sibal and and Subodh Kant Sahai.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also briefed President Pratibha Patil on the deliberations.

Sibal said the government has responded positively to the Baba's suggestions and hoped that Ramdev will do "what is right".

However, he refused to confirm or deny whether the yoga guru will go on his fast on issues of corruption and black money.

"We had constructive dialogue on several issues and the government has addressed all the issues Baba has raised in writing. Most of these issues are of national concern and the government is already seized of many of them," Sibal said.