Rahul Gandhi meets Prime Minister over Lokpal Bill debate in Parliament

Even as the Parliament is ready to debate the versions of Lokpal Bill including the one prepared by Team Anna, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the resolution which will be placed for discussion in Parliament. Congress is seeking assurance that Anna Hazare will end fast after the resolution.

Earlier, the government roped in science and technology minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to re-establish contact with Team Anna. The previous association of Deshmukh, a former Maharashtra chief minister, with Hazare came in handy for the government as he met Hazare at the Ramlila Maidan.

After the meeting, Hazare wrote to the Prime Minister, demanding that three key issues be accepted. "I have sent a message to the Prime Minister: If you want to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill then start the discussion tomorrow (Friday) morning," Hazare told supporters at the Ramlila Maidan.

Hazare reiterated the three conditions to break his 10-day fast - declaring publicly that all civil servants would be brought under the lokpal, a citizens' charter would be displayed at all government offices and all states would have lokayuktas.

Lokpal Bill, Team Anna, Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Parliament, Anna Hazare, Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Ramlila Maidan, Jan Lokpal Bill