Never closed doors for talks with Team Anna: Cong

As Team Anna's fast against corruption entered the eighth day, Congress on Wednesday said it had never closed its doors for talks but accused the group of going ahead with the agitation "individually and arbitrarily".

"When have we said no to talks. We had not asked them to go on fast. We have kept our doors open. They have never been closed. They have gone ahead (with the fast) individually and arbitrarily," Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury said.

She described as a "dangerous statement" Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal's remarks warning the government against removing him forcibly from the fasting venue as his health has deteriorated.

"They (Team Anna) are inciting the people," Chowdhury said when asked about Kejriwal's remarks.

To a question on a reported undertaking given by Kejriwal to allow the police to remove him if his health deteriorates, she said, "I do not want to comment on that. We wish him (Kejriwal) well.

"He (Kejriwal) should save his energy. What the government will do ... it is our business," Chowdhury said.

Speaking separately, AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi said, "We wish them good health and hope that god gives them good sense."

A senior Congress leader said that Team Anna had put itself in a corner and not left any exit routes.

Kejriwal, whose fast entered the eighth day, had warned against his forcible removal to hospital.

Anna Hazare has said that he would not negotiate with the government if the fasting activists were forcibly removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site.