CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution moved by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa requesting the President to reconsider the mercy petitions of the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. It requested the President to commute the death sentence of Perarivalan, Santhan and Murugan, respecting the sentiments of the people of the State.Jayalalithaa said she was moving the resolution respecting the feelings of the people, who were worried very much about the death sentence. Many political parties were also demanding that steps should be taken to commute the death sentence. Besides, she also received appeals in this regard.Reiterating her view that either she, as the Chief Minister of the State or the Governor cannot review the mercy petitions of the three convicts since such process was already over and the President had given her decision on this issue, Jayalalithaa referred to the Constitutional provisions in this regard.Leaders of DMDK, CPI, CPM, PMK, RPI, AISMK, MMK and PT hailed the Assembly resolution. Congress leaders did not express any view in the House. However, party MLA Vijayadharani told reporters that the resolution would set a wrong precedent as those who are convicted for murdering political leaders would go scot-free. She said the issue should be left to the court.On August 29, Jayalalithaa had faulted her predecessor M Karunanidhi for failing to commute the death sentence of the trio in 2000. She said since the Governor and the President have already rejected the mercy pleas, any new petition should be addressed to the President.
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