Hazare's fast continues amid signs of thaw

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​On the seventh day of Anna Hazare's fast Monday, signs of thaw in the stand-off over a strong Lokpal bill appeared with the social activist indicating his willingness to talk to the government, but with riders.

As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the government was open for debate on the Lokpal bill to set up an independent and powerful anti-graft watchdog, the fasting Hazare said he would negotiate only with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) or Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

Text: IANS

Image: Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare acknowledges the crowd as he returns to the stage after a break, in front of the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the Ramlila Grounds in New Delhi, on Monday, Aug 22, 2011. (Photographs copyright AP)