AIADMK did not handle issue of convicts' release properly: DMK

The apex court stops Tamil Nadu government from releasing Rajiv Gandhi's killers

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With the Supreme Court staying the release of three convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, DMK president M Karunanidhi today accused the ruling AIADMK of not properly handling the issue of their release.

Citing a couplet from 'Thirukural', he indicated that lack of proper planning would not yield results.

"The Jayalalithaa-led government is an example of that Thirukkural on the issue of release of Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan," he said reacting to the Supreme Court order.

The DMK chief took exception to Jayalalithaa's "unnecessary" criticism of his party during her announcement in the Assembly of the government's decision to release the convicts and reminded her that her government had recently opposed granting parole to Nalini, one of the convicts.

Taking a swipe at arch rival DMK, Jayalalithaa had charged the previous government headed by him with being responsible for rejection of mercy petitions by Perarivalan and two others by the state Governor and also the President in 2000.

"Had the then government considered the plea of the convicts for clemency and recommended it to the Governor, or had the cabinet taken a decision on it, such a thing would not have happened", Jayalalithaa had said.



Though DMK was part of UPA alliance for 18 months after her government passed a resolution in the assembly in 2011, urging for commuting the death penalty of the trio, that party did not press the Centre for its acceptance, she said.