The stand-off between Anna Hazare and government ended today with an agreement showing give-and-take on both sides as the Gandhian will launch an indefinite fast here tomorrow for 15 days subject to certain conditions.
A breakthrough in the deadlock over conditions imposed on Hazare's protest fast was achieved in the early morning of the day after two nights of hard bargaining. But Hazare will spend one more night in Tihar jail as new venue was still not ready.
Hazare got from Delhi police the spacious Ramlila Maidan for his fast instead of the smaller J P Park, the venue initially given with a restriction of 5,000 supporters.
Significantly, Team Hazare made it clear that his fast would not be a fast-unto-death and he will be on hunger strike only till his health permits.
Hazare's close associates Kiran Bedi said the moment Dr Naresh Trehan's team is of the view that he needs medical attention, he will get medical attention.
Close on the heels of the deal, Team Hazare also hinted that it may not insist on inclusion of higher judiciary in the Lokpal Bill if government brings a "good" Judicial Accountability Bill.
The activists also pleaded that the Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by them should at least be brought to Parliament for its consideration.
Earlier, the deal was reached in discussions between his associates including Bedi and Prashant Bhushan and Delhi Police Commissioner B K Gupta.
In a sort of give-and-take, Team Hazare won a number of concessions but came down on the duration of the protest restricting it to 15 days. Yesterday, the activists were insisting on a longer period of at least a month for the protest.
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