The rift within the Lok Pal Bill draft committee continues to widen. Anna Hazare has accused the government of trying to bring a toothless Lokpal and said he will begin a second fast at Jantar Mantar from August 16. Responding to Anna Hazare, Union Minister Kapil Sibal said the threats won't work during negotiations. Cabinet ministers Kapil Sibal, P Chidambaram and Salman Khursheed addressed the press to explain their side even as Team Anna Hazare termed Lokpal bill a 'jokepal' bill.

Civil society's Arvind Kejriwal said "The bill the govt is proposing is not lokpal but ‘jokepal’ bill." "It was not a joke till yesterday afternoon, apparently it has become a joke now," said Salman Khursheed. The divide is complete but there also a shift in the government strategy. They want to get everyone on board. The government hopes that vested political interests will help it get even the Opposition's support on not including the prime minister under the lokpal's purview. A reality check for Team Anna too. Their draft might be legally valid but may not muster support in the Cabinet since there are five Cabinet ministers in the Joint drafting committee.