New Delhi: “I have come here with an open mind and I will not take any decision before we meet”, said Lokayukta N. Santhosh Hegde on arrival at New Delhi this morning (Saturday) to attend the 5men panel meeting of civic society members being chaired by Dr. Annasaheb Hazare in the evening.
Justice Hegde praised Pranab Mukherjee, chairman of the 10 member panel that will draft the new Lokpal Bill, saying “it is the nice gesture on the part of the Chairman to issue a statement. He was very fair in it. So many others also have said that this type of vilification (by Digvijay Singh and other Congressmen) campaign was wrong.”
Pranab Mukherjee (Chairman of the Joint Drafting Committee) had only stated tat the GoI was looking forward to enact a “strong anti-corruption legislation”. Hegde responded by telling newsmen, that he (Justice Hegde) would agree to whatever Anna Hazare says. He clarified that he would not resign at this juncture. This has come as a great relief to many followers of Dr. Hazare and Justice Hegde.
Hegde had a talk earlier with Hazare on phone who told him not to take any “precipitous action”, but discuss with him (Hazare) in the meeting due Saturday meeting ion the evening. Hegde realized his folly in going against the public current, by resigning in a hurry as he was hurt at some random remarks of Congress Political slanderers.
Answering a question, he said he would quit if Hazare asked him t vacate his spot. But Hazare told in Pune (on way to Delhi) that a decision would be taken on the Hegde issue only at the meeting. However, the 2 Bhushans (father and son) have made a definite statement that they would still be in the Panel.
Dr. Hazare,  trying to smoothen feelings and soothe the bruises in his civic group further stated that people had faith in him, and that the trust reposed in his camp would not be dented. People largely followed him, her added.