Parole for Rajiv Gandhi assasination convict: Three AIADMK MLAs laud MK Stalin

CHENNAI: Three AIADMK alliance MLAs on Saturday lauded Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin for raising in the Assembly, the issue of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict Perarivalan's release on parole in their second meeting with him. The three MLAs, Thamimum Ansari (Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi), Thaniyarasu (Kongu Ilaignar Peravai)and Karunas (Mukkulathor Pulippadai) had already met Stalin and appealed to him to support their demand of releasing Perarivalan on parole.

The three MLAs, who won by contesting on 'two leaves' symbol, had already staged a walk-out from the Assembly on the ban on cattle sale for slaughter issue. Ansari had already announced that he would vote for Congress candidate Meira Kumar in the Presidential elections. The AIADMK (Amma) government under Edappadi K. Palaniswami is surviving by a razor thin majority of five MLAs and their regular meetings with Stalin indicate the possibility of further erosion of the government's strength in Assembly.

Raising the issue of Perarivalan's release on parole during the zero hour, Stalin said the government had rejected the convict's demand for parole. He pointed out that the Assembly had passed a unanimous resolution demanding the release of all the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. The Chief Secretary had written a letter to the Centre on March 2, 2016 seeking its opinion.

"Why the government is reluctant to grant parole," he asked and cited the release of actor Sanjay Dutt on parole without Centre's permission. The state government should use Sanjay Dutt's release as a precedent and release Perarivalan on parole. However, there was no reply from the government on the issue.