Date:17/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/17/stories/2008061757830100.htm

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Bainsla satisfied with talks

Sunny Sebastian

Next round today will see the presence of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje

Photo: PTI

POSITIVE TURN: Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla arrives at Sanganer airport in Jaipur on Monday for talks with the Rajasthan government. —

JAIPUR: The talks between Gujjar representatives and the Rajasthan government reached the penultimate stage here on Monday, with both groups terming the next round, scheduled for Tuesday, the “final.”

If the Gujjar patriarch Kirori Singh Bainsla was the mainstay of the three-and-half hour-long talks held at the Rajasthan Institute of Public Administration, the next round will see the presence of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

However, with both sides remaining tight-lipped on the nature of a broad agreement that has apparently been reached, it is not clear what is being offered by the government to the Gujjars.

Suspense remained over whether the protesters are getting a letter addressed to the Centre recommending Scheduled Tribe status for them or it is going to be a separate quota for the Gujjars under the de-notified tribes.

“I am fully satisfied with the day’s talks,” Mr. Bainsla, who came out of Pilurpura for the first time after the police firing on May 23, said at a joint press conference. “The talks were held in a very cordial atmosphere,” he added.

Mr. Bainsla was brought here by a helicopter. On his arrival at the Patel Bhawan around 4.30 p.m., he said: “I have come here with an open mind.”

Prior to joining the talks, he sat with the community leaders, who have been holding talks with the government for the past three days.

“We have progressed well in the talks,” BJP national treasurer Agarwal, who led the nine-member strong government team in the talks, said. “I would say today we took 2-4 steps ahead. A final decision will be taken tomorrow keeping in mind the five-crore people of Rajasthan.”

Delhi MLA Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Haryana MLA Sukhbir Singh Jaunpuria were also present.

Both Mr.Agarwal and senior bureaucrat S.N.Thanvi, who has been monitoring the situation at Pilupura, hinted that it was going to be a make or break situation on Tuesday. However, they were positive about a solution.