Agnivesh strikes a wrong note, says no mediators

Swami Agnivesh, one of the 22 members of the core committee set up by activist Anna Hazare, claimed on Monday that there has been no response from the Centre so far to end the activist's indefinite fast against corruption.

"In the last seven days, we have never had anyone mediating between us and the government about the Jan Lokpal Bill," he said.

He rejected media reports about the government roping in Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Umesh Chandra Sarangi and spiritual leader Bhaiyyuji Maharaj to hold talks with Hazare.

"This news is the media's creation. We give no credence to such reports," he said.

Reports had claimed that Sarangi held two rounds of talks with Hazare on Saturday night and Sunday while Maharaj joined the official on Sunday during the discussions.

"Television channels and newspapers have been reporting on the mediation process going on between the government and Anna Hazare from time to time. The fact is that there has been no mediation whatsoever," Agnivesh asserted.

Incidentally, this is not the first time a discordant not has been struck by a member of Hazare's team.

Agnivesh also denied allegations made by Hazare's detractors that leading industrial groups have been doling out money to fund the protests against the government.

"The protestors have been bringing their own food. We are only providing them with water," he said.

Speaking on the deadline of August 30 set by Hazare for the implementation of the Jan Lokpal Bill, Swami Agnivesh said, "The government can do this if it has the will to come clean."