Cong accuses Centre, TN govt of playing 'politics' over releasing Rajiv case convicts

The Congress Monday accused the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government of "playing politics" over a cabinet recommendation to release all seven life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, adding that the State cannot derelict its duty in punishing terrorists.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said there should be no compromise on terrorism and terrorists and it was time to show the mirror to the Modi and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) governments who were adopting a "soft approach" towards them (terrorists).

"Bereft of who says what, as a citizen and a Congressman, we are of a clear opinion that the State cannot derelict its duty of punishing terrorists and terrorism.

"Those who swear by pseudo nationalism day in and day out are today doing politics over assassins of Rajiv Gandhi Ji and dozens of others who were killed by these terrorists, who have been punished by the Supreme Court, and never been granted any pardon," he said.

"It is time to show the mirror of truth to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Government who are shielding terrorism and terrorists by such acts," Surjewala told reporters.

"We ask a simple question, bereft of what the
large-hearted (then) Congress President Sonia Gandhi or the current Congress President Rahul Gandhi or his sister Priyanka Gandhi have said viz-a-viz having no enmity towards the assassins of Rajiv Ji. Does the State have a duty to protect terrorists or to find terrorists?