While a compromise formula was being worked out between social activist Anna Hazare’s team and the Centre on the Jan Lok Pal Bill that would be placed before the Parliament, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravishankar met senior NDA leaders to garner support for the civil society’s version of the Bill.
The meeting between Ravishankar and Advani was followed by a closed-door meet of the BJP-led NDA at Advani’s residence where the leaders decided to corner the government on corruption when the Parliament meets after a three-day break tomorrow. “We want the Parliament to function on August 23 after a three-day break so that we can raise the issue of corruption in the House. Sri Sri Ravishankar had met L K Advani at his residence. The yoga teacher was trying to find out what was the BJP and NDA’s position on the Lok Pal Bill,” said a senior leader.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused the Union government of being corrupt and has demanded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to step down from the top post. “Social activist Arvind Kejriwal and lawyer Prashant Bhushan are also expected to meet Advani soon to discuss their version of the Lok Pal Bill. The meet could happen within the next two days. We want the Centre to start a process of dialogue with Anna Hazare,” the leader said.
Senior BJP leaders believe that Hazare has managed to woo BJP supporters and senior NDA leaders were working on a plan on how to win back the voters and gain lost ground. They also discussed if it would be feasible for them to go to the Ramlila ground to support the anti-corruption movement. But, later the party decided to continue attacking the Union government in the Parliament on corruption. The NDA meeting was attended by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, among others.