Indian PM offers concessions to fasting activist

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh offered the first concessions Tuesday in his high-stakes standoff with activist Anna Hazare, urging him to end an anti-graft fast that has triggered huge protests. In a letter to the 74-year-old campaigner whose hunger strike has boxed Singh's government into a tight political corner, the prime minister proposed a series of compromises in their dispute over a new anti-corruption law. Hazare insists the government bill is toothless, and says he will continue his fast -- now in its eighth day -- unless parliament adopts and passes his own, more aggressive, version by August 30. Voicing his "deep and abiding concern" for Hazare's health, Singh said he was willing to request that the speaker of parliament refer Hazare's version of the bill to the committee that is reviewing the government's draft. He also said the committee would be asked to fast-track its deliberations. "I do hope that you will consider my suggestions and end your fast to regain full health and vitality," Singh said. The concessions marked a significant shift by the prime minister, who last week had condemned Hazare's demands as "totally misconceived" and a threat to India's parliamentary democracy. His effort to reach out was followed by the first formal talks between senior government ministers and three top Hazare aides who made it clear that Singh's proposals would not be enough to end the fast. "We told them that the prime minister's offer is not acceptable," said one aide, Arvind Kejriwal, adding that Hazare wanted a written commitment that his bill would be debated by the full parliament. Singh's government, which has been hit by a succession of multi-billion-dollar corruption scandals, has been blindsided by the outpouring of national support for Hazare's campaign. In the biggest protests for three decades, hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets of cities across the country, calling for an end to the culture of bribery and backhanders that blights their daily lives. And tens of thousands of flag-waving supporters have gathered every day at the open-air venue in central Delhi where Hazare is staging his public fast. The opening of a formal dialogue came amid growing concerns over the health of the aged activist who has lost 5.6 kilograms (12.3 pounds) since begining his protest. Naresh Trehan, the head of a team of doctors constantly monitoring Hazare's condition, said his vital signs and especially his blood pressure "were not looking good" and advised that he be hospitalised. Later however, a feisty and defiant Hazare told supporters he was staying put and would refuse any medication. "If I die there will be so many Annas. The tradition has just begun," he said. In his letter, Singh struck a pointedly conciliatory tone, saying his government shared Hazare's desire for the strongest possible anti-corruption laws. "At worst, our paths and methodologies may differ, though I do believe that even those differences have been exaggerated," he said. "I have no hesitation in saying that we need your views and actions in the service of the nation, from a robust physical condition and not in the context of frail or failing health," he added. Singh has called an all-party meeting on the crisis for Wednesday but faces an uphill struggle in building a consensus with opposition parties who have accused him of misjudging and mishandling Hazare's populist campaign.