NEW DELHI: India's government is holding an all-party meeting to discuss improving anti-corruption legislation in hopes of ending protests led by a 73-year-old activist on a hunger strike.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked Anna Hazare to end his fast, and sent the finance minister to negotiate with him in a sign the government may meet some of the activist's demands.

Hazare was refusing to let doctors feed him intravenously Wednesday, his ninth day of fasting. His aides say he is waiting for the government to pledge that it will push for creating an anti-corruption watchdog with authority over the prime minister and judiciary.

Tens of thousands have joined protests across India. Several hundred people camped overnight in the rain at Hazare's New Delhi protest.