The Supreme Court order to release Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict A.G. Perarivalan has led to differences between the Congress and one of its closest allies, the DMK. On a day Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin hailed the verdict, the Congress criticised the BJP for creating the necessary situation that led to the top court’s decision to release a “terrorist” held for the “murderous attack and assassination” of the former Prime Minister..
In a starkly contrasting stand, Mr. Stalin said Perarivalan had spent 32 years in prison and lost his youth behind bars, was finally able to smell freedom. “I convey my wishes to him and welcome him.” He also lauded the efforts of Perarivalan’s mother Arputhammal for securing his release after a long battle.
The Congress for now remains mum on the DMK’s divergent stand. At a press conference in Delhi, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala directed his attack solely at the BJP. He sidestepped a pointed question on whether the Congress would break the alliance because of the differences in views. “Everybody is entitled to their opinion,” he said.
