Oppn alleges ‘drama’ over release of Rajiv convicts

Oppn alleges ‘drama’ over release of Rajiv convicts

We Hope Prez Will Take Good Decision: Min

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:06.02.2021

Political wrangling over demand for premature release of seven life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case has been revived in Tamil Nadu due to two recent events.

One, the January 29 meeting of chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami with governor Banwarlilal Purohit and the Tamil Nadu ministers’ assertion that the governor would take a positive decision on the issue. Two, the governor’s office’s affidavit in court disclosing that the Raj Bhavan had ‘referred’ the whole issue to the President on January 25 itself.

DMK chief and leader of opposition M K Stalin was quick to question the dates. “When the governor had already washed his hands off the issue in a letter to the Centre on January 25, what really did the chief minister discuss in his meeting with the governor of January 29?” Stalin asked. He charged the chief minister with lying to the state assembly about urging the governor to consider the early release of the seven convicts. There was no clear response from either the Raj Bhavan or the state ministers to this query. When asked for the governor’s reaction to the questions, the Raj Bhavan told TOI: “The matter is subjudice. Therefore, the Raj Bhavan is not in a position to talk about it.”

Deputy CM O Panneerselvam said: "We will seek the legal advice for the release of the seven convicts, including Perarivalan, as aspired by the entire Tamil community. The government is firm on that." State Law Minsiter C Ve Shanmugam said: "We will discuss about the Governor's stand and decide on the further course of action."

Minister D Jayakumar, who had on January 29 asserted that the governor would take an “appropriate decision”, on Friday said, "We hope the President of India will take a good decision."

Stalin, in the meanwhile, accused the government of enacting a drama, and said: “Instead of enacting a drama, keeping the assembly election in mind, the CM should take steps with a clean heart. If he plans to meet the President (Ramnath Kovind) to urge for the immediate release of the seven, who have undergone imprisonment for over 30 years now, DMK MPs are willing to join him.”

PMK founder S Ramadoss said: “At a time when everyone thought the seven convicts will be released, especially after Supreme Court directed the governor to decide on it, the governor’s move to write a letter to the Centre citing only President has the powers for releasing the convicts has to be condemned.”

MDMK general secretary Vaiko condemned the Centre, Tamil Nadu government and Governor Banwarilal Purohit for enacting a political drama over the release of the seven convicts.

It was on September 9, 2018 that the state cabinet decided to adopt the Article 161 route and adopted a resolution recommending the premature release of all the seven life convicts, serving their terms since 1991. It was formally communicated to the governor the same day. Governor Banwarilal Purohit kept the file pending till January 25, 2021, when he chose to refer it to the President, saying the latter alone was competent to take a decision on the issue.

ON THE ATTACK: DMK president M K Stalin said: “Instead of enacting a drama, keeping the assembly election in mind, the CM should take steps with a clean heart”