Severe differences cropped up in Lok Pal drafting committee with ministers in the draft panel not agreeing to the social activists demand to bring PMO and higher judiciary in to the ambit of the Lok Pal. Talks between the government and social activists seem to have headed for a collapse after both the parties disagreed on all key issues. For a draft bill that was high on hope and ambition, this meeting was almost an anti-climax, heading towards a deadlock.

While the social activists insist on bringing PMO, scrutiny of the Higher Judiciary and acts of MPs inside Parliament under the purview of Lok Pal, the government says everything has to be within the ambit of the consttution. Anna's men want Lokpal should be empowered to probe the Prime Minister and Higher Judiciary, the group of ministers say no, preferring self-regulation instead. Lokpal should be empowered to probe misconduct of members of Parliament within the house, group of ministers says no to investigate conduct within the house. Lokpal wants power to probe all bureaucracy, but government is in favour of including higher bureaucracy only. Lokpal wants investigative wings of the CBI, the CVC to be merged with it, the group of ministers say no.

With the group of ministers stating unanimously and unambiguously their position, Anna's men also made it clear that non-inclusion of these offices are non-negotiable. For now the joint drafting committee has decided to write to the state governments for its opinion. Even if the stalemate is averted, it is very unlikely that the June 30 deadline for drafting of Lok Pal Bill will be met.