We did what DMK failed to do, says CM Palaniswami
Taking a jibe at DMK, Law Minister C. Ve. Shanmugam remarked that even in the Cauvery issue, the DMK had done precious little.
Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami slammed the DMK on the issue of releasing the seven Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts, and said while the DMK had, when it was in power, recommended the commutation of Nalini’s death sentence to life and ignored the plight of others, his AIADMK government has recommended the release of all the seven convicts.
“Unlike your government, which when in power, had convened the Cabinet and recommended the commutation of Nalini’s death sentence we are committed to the early release of all the seven persons,” Mr. Palaniswami told the Assembly.
Responding to S. Sudarsanam, Madavaram MLA, who sought to know the government’s stand on the release of the seven convicts, Mr. Palaniswami said his government had done where then DMK government had failed.
“Following the verdict of the Supreme Court, we convened the Cabinet and passed a resolution recommending the release all seven convicts. It was sent to Governor (Banwarilal Purohit) for appropriate action. It is now upto the Governor to take a call. We have done what the DMK failed to do,” the CM said.
When DMK deputy leader Duraimurugan remarked that the then DMK government would have accomplished the task had the Supreme Court given an opportunity then, Mr. Palaniswami shot back saying “how can the Cabinet under then Chief Minister (M. Karunanidhi) recommend commutation for Nalini and allow others to serve the term. Law is the same for everyone. If you decide to punish, then punish everyone, but why exempt one person.”
“However, the AIADMK government decided in favour of releasing all seven convicts and accordingly recommended the same to the governor,” the CM further said. To this, Duraimurugan, replied, “we appreciate your efforts.”
Taking a jibe at DMK, Law Minister C. Ve. Shanmugam remarked that even in the Cauvery issue, the DMK had done precious little.
The Tamil Nadu government had recommended the release of Perarivalan, Murugan, Shanthan, Nalini, Robert Payas, Ravichandran and Jayakumar, on September 9 last year.