AIADMK allies seek DMK support for parole to Rajiv Gandhi case convict

Chennai: Allies of the ruling AIADMK today sought DMK's support in raising the parole plea of A G Perarivalan alias Arivu, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

While a discussion on the demand for grants to industries was on in the House, U Thaniyarasu (of Tamil Nadu Kongu Ilaignar Peravai), S Karunas (of Mukkulathor Pulipadai) and M Thamimum Ansari (of Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi) walked up to Leader of Opposition M K Stalin and were seen telling him something.

The trio were elected on AIADMK's 'two-leaves' symbol.

Speaking to reporters outside the House, Thaniyarasu said the three of them had submitted a special call attention motion with Speaker P Dhanapal's office to urge the government to grant parole for Perarivalan.

"We urged the DMK working president to add strength to our motion by supporting it whenever it was taken up for discussion," he said.

A copy of the motion was handed over to Stalin, he added.

Arputham Ammal, mother of Perarivalan, said former chief minister J Jayalalithaa had taken the initiative for the release of seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

"I request the government to release my son (Perarivalan) on parole. He completed 26 years in prison this month (June 11)," Arputham Ammal, flanked by the three legislators, told reporters at the Secretariat here.

She expressed confidence the K Palaniswami regime, which is the "successor to Amma's government" will consider her plea.

She also thanked the three legislators for taking up Perarivalan's cause.

On June 21, Robert Payas, a Sri Lankan national and one of the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, had petitioned the state government seeking mercy killing.

In an emotionally charged letter to Chief Minister K Palaniswami, he said he should be killed on grounds of mercy and his body should be handed over to his family.

Blaming the Centre--both the previous UPA government and the incumbent NDA--for opposing the release of the seven convicts in the case, including him, when Jayalalithaa took the initiative, he said, "We do not know why our release has been put on hold."