Team Anna putting words in my mouth: Pranab

Accusing Team Anna of "distorting" facts about the meetings to resolve the Lokpal issue, the government on late Wednesday night said Parliamentary processes cannot be bypassed and the same was made clear to the activists after considering their proposals.

Rebutting the charge by Team Anna that there was a dramatic change in government's "tone" at the latest round of talks, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Team Anna had made certain demands at an earlier meeting with government representatives.

"Today, I informed them that government considered these proposals and it is not possible to do it," he told.

Mukherjee said Team Anna had demanded that the government Lokpal Bill will be withdrawn and the Jan Lokpal bill be introduced, it should not go through the Standing Committee and Parliament pass it within the Monsoon session.

Now that this distorted view has come, neither there is question of going back to square one nor there is change in government's attitude because if the government would have changed its attitude, there was no reason of resuming dialogue since yesterday," he said.

Mukherjee said he had told the activists that the Parliamentary Standing Committee can consider and make any amendments it wants and the process of Committee will be expedited and put on fast track.

Asked about Team Anna's remarks that Mukherjee had told them that Hazare's health condition was not the government's concern, the minister said, "They are putting words in my mouth.

"I am repeatedly making appeal (to Hazare to end his fast). I made the appeal yesterday, I made appeal today," the minister said. 

Hazare's health down but refuses hospitalization

With Anna Hazare's fast for a strong Lokpal Bill entering its eighth day today, India's top cardiac surgeon Dr Naresh Trehan, who is examining the veteran social activist's health condition, has said that his vital signs are worrying and the blood pressure is not normal.
Doctors earlier advised Hazare not to venture into the Sun as it could have a negative impact on his health.

Hazare has, however, refused to be admitted to the hospital.His blood count is deteriorating. And we suggested to him that he be shifted to hospital. But he outright refused. He (Hazare) said, 'I would rather die.'

Hazare said, 'I consulted my inner conscience... My inner conscience does not allow me to take saline drips.'

'It doesn't matter if I die,' he said, as aides standing near him bowed their heads, some with tears in their eyes.
'If I die, so many Annas will emerge,' he added, pointing his hand towards the roaring, flag-waving crowds.
'If they try to take me away forcibly, park yourself at the gates and don't let me taken away,' he said, as the mass of supporters again roared in his support.

'But there should be no violence,' Hazare went on. 'Whatever we do should be done non-violently. Violence is a crime.'

Speaking about Hazare's health, his key aide Manish Sisodia earlier in the day said that he had shed 600 grams of his weight.

"Look he (Anna Hazare) has not eaten anything since past seven days. He has become weak, but in the morning when doctors came for his check-up, his blood pressure was 124/82, his weight has decreased by 600 grams since yesterday and his current weight is now 66.4 kilograms. His pulse rate is 84. According to doctors his condition is stable although, he has become weak but he is not serious," said Sisodia.

The cardiologist said a team of specialists, including a cardiologist, kidney specialist and critical healthcare experts, were keeping a watch on Hazare.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has also written a letter to Hazare urging him to end his fast.

Dr. Singh in his letter to Hazare said the government is committed to passing a constitutionally valid and the best possible Lokpal legislation with inputs from civil society with the broadest possible consensus.

Manish Sisodia: Hazare's health stable

Despite being on fast for the last seven days, social activist Anna Hazare's health parameters are "stable", said Manish Sisodia, a close aide of Hazare.

Speaking about Hazare's health, Sisodia said that he had shed 600 grams of his weight and the doctors have said that his condition was stable.

"Look he (Anna Hazare) has not eaten anything since past seven days. He has become weak, but in the morning when doctors came for his check-up, his blood pressure was 124/82, his weight has decreased by 600 grams since yesterday and his current weight is now 66.4 kilograms. His pulse rate is 84. According to doctors his condition is stable although, he has become weak but he is not serious," said Sisodia.

Sisodia further said that the spiritual mentor of Hazare, Bhayyuji Maharaj had tried to break the deadlock between the government and Hazare and added that he too had come with the government's version of the Ombudsman Bill, which was not acceptable to the civil society team.

"Look, a formal talk with the government is yet to begin but unofficially few people have come for talks. People related to Anna have begun the unofficial talks but it did not lead to a final result. A proposal had come from the side of Bhayyuji Maharaj," he added

Hazare's supporters and the government have earlier said during the weekend they are open to talks, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying there was a "lot of scope for give and take."

Moves to open talks come as the Bharatiya Janata Party is organising a nationwide protest against the government on Thursday, while a group of left parties is planning a national protest on Tuesday.