Cong ‘disappointed’, TN parties hail ‘historic verdict’
NEW DELHI/CHENNAI: The release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict AG Perarivalan on Wednesday evoked mixed political reactions, with the Congress feeling disappointed even as several political parties in Tamil Nadu welcoming the Supreme Court’s decision and hailing it as “historic”.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (Bjp)-led Union government for “facilitating the release of the killer of a former prime minister” for its “petty and cheap politics”.
“Today there is sorrow and fury not only among Congress workers, but in every citizen who believes in India and Indianness. It is condemnable and very unfortunate. A terrorist is a terrorist and should be treated as one,” he told reporters in Delhi.
“We are deeply saddened by the decision of the Supreme Court. If those guilty of terrorism, and assassination of a PM are going to be released like this, then who will uphold the majesty and the integrity of law in this country,” he added.
Invoking its extraordinary power under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court ordered the release of Perarivalan, who has served over 30 years in jail in the case.
Political parties in Tamil Nadu welcomed the top court’s order.
Chief minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader MK Stalin said his party had promised the release of all seven convicts who are serving life sentences. While Perarivalan has been released, the government will consult experts on the release of the remaining convicts after going through the details of the top court’s judgment, he said.
“Though delayed, this is a historic verdict,” Stalin said after meeting Perarivalan and his mother Arputhammal at his residence in the afternoon.
The opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) claimed Perarivalan’s release was a result of late CM J Jayalalithaa’s “grit, farsightedness and legal acumen”.
The efforts taken by Jayalalithaa to secure the release of Perarivalan and six others, and the legal nuances put forth by her were not few, party coordinator O Panneerselvam and joint coordinator K Palaniswami said in a statement. “Perarivalan being released by the Supreme Court after 30 years in jail gives joy, satisfaction and relief to the AIADMK,” the statement added.
Both AIADMK and DMK governments had in the past passed resolutions, seeking release of all seven convicts in the case.
State Congress chief KS Alagiri said while “we don’t want to criticise” the Supreme Court judgment, we want to affirm that they (the seven convicts) are murderers and not innocent.”
BJP state president K Annamalai said the party “accepts” the verdict. “We also believe the Supreme Court will not allow compromising with our unity, security and integrity.”