Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar on Monday met NDA leaders on behalf of Anna Hazare at senior BJP leader L K Advani's residence to discuss the Lokpal issue and garner opposition support for the cause the Gandhian is fighting for.
Though there was no official word from either side about the meeting, sources said Ravishankar praised Anna Hazare as a good man who should be supported at this juncture. He said a way should be found out to end the deadlock and discussed in detail the whole issue around the Lokpal Bill.
The spiritual guru, who is also acting as Hazare's emissary in talks with the government, wanted to know the NDA view on the Lokpal issue and solicit its support to the demands being raised by the Gandhian.
Civil society activists Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal had planned to accompany Ravishankar to the NDA meeting but kept away at the last moment, reportedly due to heavy media presence at Advani's residence.
Sources said the NDA held a separate meeting to decide its strategy in Parliament in the wake of the developments in Hazare's agitation.
"We have decided not to disrupt Parliament tomorrow and will press for a discussion on the new corruption issues. The CAG reports on K G Basin deal, Air India as well as the other corruption issues will be discussed," a senior NDA leader said.
In Monday’s NDA meeting, the opposition also decided not to join hands with the nine political parties, led by the Left, which will hold protest demonstrations inside and outside Parliament on Tuesday on a host of issues – including corruption, farmers' rights, price rise and attack on democratic institutions.