The confrontation between Baba Ramdev and the government over the issue of black money appears to have been de-escalated with the government managing to soften the yoga guru after tortuous talks.
After close to five-and-a-half hours of hard-nosed negotiations, the government managed to get Ramdev to step back from the brink, narrowing their differences on how to combat black money. Although the yoga guru said he will go ahead with his fast on Saturday, government sources are hopeful that the protest may turn out to be a short affair instead of the feared war of nerves. In fact, sources said the protest could be off as early as by Sunday evening if "vested interests" don't interfere.
After his marathon session with Union ministers Kapil Sibal and Subodh Kant Sahay in a third-floor suite at Delhi's Claridges Hotel, Ramdev told a large crowd waiting at Ramlila grounds that there was convergence on 90% issues discussed with the government. While there was a broad consensus on general issues, some specifics remained unresolved.
The government had reasons to be relieved at the outcome of Ramdev's negotiations between Sibal and Sahay as it is very keen to avoid a showdown with the influential guru on an issue like corruption which is agitating the public. The Centre expects the fast to be called off once Ramdev is able to claim success for the anti-graft campaign. Government sources said the talks had gone off well.
The yoga guru is now expected to get back to the government over the responses provided by the government, which will indicate his intent,
Even as the government is keen on a truce, sources said the two ministers had made it plain to the guru that Centre was mindful of the need to maintain law and order: a not-so-subtle indication that authorities would not let Baba stage a prolonged sit-in which, with relentless 24x7 coverage, could acquire a momentum of its own.
With the Baba mellowed by the government's high pressure arguments on the difficulty in passing laws for confiscation of property in tax evasion cases, capital punishment for graft and hurdles in swift recovery of black money, the government is breathing easy. It was repeatedly conveyed to Ramdev that it was not feasible to have a law for confiscating property for tax evasion as this would not pass muster with the courts.
The discussions, which saw the Baba doing most of the talking despite four associates being with him, dragged on as certain issues had to be argued again and again. Ramdev proved to be a tough nut but the government will be pleased at the end result. Legal eagle Sibal provided the interpretations of law while Sahay shares a comfort level with Ramdev.
However, keen to dispel any impression that he was backing off, Ramdev said his fast for measures against corruption and to retrieve black money spirited abroad was on course and he expected the government to ensure all demands are met. But the talks are a work in progress with the government expecting to announce progress by Saturday evening.
A detailed statement released by the government shows that the Centre has agreed to consider some of Ramdev's key demands like declaring illegally generated wealth as a national asset, amending or enacting laws to confiscate and recover such funds and providing tough punishment to offenders.
There is no word on the guru's demand for an "ordinance" to recover black money but Ramdev indicated that he could climb down on demanding death sentence in corruption cases, saying a life sentence would be good enough.
Sources said government approached talks with the guru in a systematic manner, making it clear that "what is doable and what is not." The government agreed to draw up a concrete plan to increase use of Hindi and regional languages in technical education. Fast track courts to try corruption cases, use of bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers, an accountable public delivery system and a more detailed database on immigration are other measures the government promised to consider.
Summing up the talks, Sahay said, "This is a democratic government. It is not weak but pro-people. We are talking to Baba because we are concerned about these issues of national importance."
After close to five-and-a-half hours of hard-nosed negotiations, the government managed to get Ramdev to step back from the brink, narrowing their differences on how to combat black money. Although the yoga guru said he will go ahead with his fast on Saturday, government sources are hopeful that the protest may turn out to be a short affair instead of the feared war of nerves. In fact, sources said the protest could be off as early as by Sunday evening if "vested interests" don't interfere.
After his marathon session with Union ministers Kapil Sibal and Subodh Kant Sahay in a third-floor suite at Delhi's Claridges Hotel, Ramdev told a large crowd waiting at Ramlila grounds that there was convergence on 90% issues discussed with the government. While there was a broad consensus on general issues, some specifics remained unresolved.
The government had reasons to be relieved at the outcome of Ramdev's negotiations between Sibal and Sahay as it is very keen to avoid a showdown with the influential guru on an issue like corruption which is agitating the public. The Centre expects the fast to be called off once Ramdev is able to claim success for the anti-graft campaign. Government sources said the talks had gone off well.
The yoga guru is now expected to get back to the government over the responses provided by the government, which will indicate his intent,
Even as the government is keen on a truce, sources said the two ministers had made it plain to the guru that Centre was mindful of the need to maintain law and order: a not-so-subtle indication that authorities would not let Baba stage a prolonged sit-in which, with relentless 24x7 coverage, could acquire a momentum of its own.
With the Baba mellowed by the government's high pressure arguments on the difficulty in passing laws for confiscation of property in tax evasion cases, capital punishment for graft and hurdles in swift recovery of black money, the government is breathing easy. It was repeatedly conveyed to Ramdev that it was not feasible to have a law for confiscating property for tax evasion as this would not pass muster with the courts.
The discussions, which saw the Baba doing most of the talking despite four associates being with him, dragged on as certain issues had to be argued again and again. Ramdev proved to be a tough nut but the government will be pleased at the end result. Legal eagle Sibal provided the interpretations of law while Sahay shares a comfort level with Ramdev.
However, keen to dispel any impression that he was backing off, Ramdev said his fast for measures against corruption and to retrieve black money spirited abroad was on course and he expected the government to ensure all demands are met. But the talks are a work in progress with the government expecting to announce progress by Saturday evening.
A detailed statement released by the government shows that the Centre has agreed to consider some of Ramdev's key demands like declaring illegally generated wealth as a national asset, amending or enacting laws to confiscate and recover such funds and providing tough punishment to offenders.
There is no word on the guru's demand for an "ordinance" to recover black money but Ramdev indicated that he could climb down on demanding death sentence in corruption cases, saying a life sentence would be good enough.
Sources said government approached talks with the guru in a systematic manner, making it clear that "what is doable and what is not." The government agreed to draw up a concrete plan to increase use of Hindi and regional languages in technical education. Fast track courts to try corruption cases, use of bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers, an accountable public delivery system and a more detailed database on immigration are other measures the government promised to consider.
Summing up the talks, Sahay said, "This is a democratic government. It is not weak but pro-people. We are talking to Baba because we are concerned about these issues of national importance."
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