We will continue to urge Governor to release Rajiv Gandhi convicts: O Panneerselvam

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Friday said the AIADMK government would continue to urge Governor Banwarilal Purohit to order the release of all the seven life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

Recalling that as early as in 2014, the then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had steered a Cabinet decision and later a resolution in the State Assembly in favour of their release, OPS told reporters at the airport here that the state government had followed up on this by apprising the Centre and doing everything possible to free the seven convicts, who have been languishing in jail for 28 years.

The Deputy CM, who is also the coordinator of the ruling party, said that now that the Supreme Court has dismissed the petition (from some kin of the victims of the assassination and a TN Congress leader) against the release of the seven convicts, Governor Purohit would take an appropriate decision.

"We will continue to urge the Governor on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government to release the Rajiv case convicts," he asserted.

Senior AIADMK leader and Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said the government was confident the Governor would take "a good decision at the appropriate time".

Pointing out that the state government had already exerted pressure on the Governor, he said, "We will continue to that. We cannot force the Governor".

Meanwhile, sources said Governor Purohit has already begun the process of consultations with top-most legal experts so as to equip himself with all the necessary issues of law and other factors before deciding on what is turning out to be a tricky job with long-term repercussions.