Baba Ramdev May Observe One Day Token Fast
posted on Jun 3, 2011 @ 6:53PM
The second round of talks between Baba Ramdev and the government seem to be making good progress amidst indications that issues raised by the yoga guru were nearing resolution. The marathon meeting between Congress ministers Kapil Sibal and Subodh Kant Sahay, from government side, and Ramdev discussed various demands raised by the yoga guru, who had threatened to go on an indefinite satayagraha from Saturday against corruption and black money.
The government on Friday initiated a fresh round of talks with Baba Ramdev to persuade him to give up his proposed agitation. Before the crucial talks with Ramdev, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, home minister P Chidambaram and some of their colleagues went into a huddle to prepare a draft for the meeting. Making all-out efforts to placate the yoga guru, the government made senior ministers stay put in the capital. Hectic back-channel efforts he been on for the last two days to placate Ramdev, who has raised issues of black money and corruption, as the government is keen to avert an Anna Hazare-like protest on the streets.
The meeting between Kapil Sibal, Subodh Kant Sahay and Ramdev came after the Baba's address to his supporters where he indicated a softening of his stance. "...Barring one or two issues, a consensus seems to be emerging between us and the government," said the yoga guru, who had held his first round of talks with senior ministers, including Mukherjee, who had met him at the airport after his arrival here on June 1. Sources indicated that almost all issues raised by the Baba were nearing resolution and there could be a one-day token fast by Ramdev and his supporters.