Congress opposes release of Rajiv Gandhi killers, DMK says it's drama ahead of polls

Congress and the AIADMK sparred in Parliament on Thursday a day after the Tamil Nadu government wrote to the Centre over its decision to release the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination.

The Congress moved adjournment motions in both Houses, while the DMK came to the support of its ally saying Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's move was an attempt to score political points ahead of assembly elections in the state.

"She is trying to score political points before the elections. This was done in 2014 as well. Why doesn’t she resort to article 161 and release them?" DMK spokesperson Saravanan said.

In Tamil Nadu, the families of the convicts began to nurse hopes again after the Jayalalithaa government Nadu govt wrote to the Union Home Secretary seeking views on its decision to remit the life sentences and release them.

Speaking to CNN-IBN, Padma, Nalini's mother said, "I am very happy after the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister decided to take steps to release them. I appeal to the Prime Minister to release them. I also appeal to Sonia Gandhi, son Rahul and daughter Priyanka to show mercy to my daughter and to others."

The Tamil Nadu government sought the Centre’s opinion on their release under section 435 of the CrPC, given that the case was investigated by the CBI. Last December, the Supreme Court ruled that the Tamil Nadu government had no power to release the seven convicts without the concurrence of the Centre.

The counsel for Nalini – one of the convicts -- called the AIADMK government's move a stunt as the state had attempted a similar move just ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Lawyer Radhakrishnan said “this letter again is a superfluous one. When SC hasn't expressed its view, no one is competent to send another letter. This is a pretence. If the Tamil Nadu government is inclined they have powers under article 161 of Constitution. SC says this cannot be touched by courts. The Tamil Nadu government has now once again sent a letter to the Centre. And the Centre can throw it away because it's pending before SC."

The Tamil Nadu government’s letter to the Centre comes weeks after receiving petitions from the seven convicts requesting their release after spending more than 20 years in jail.