AIADMK, Congress spar over TN govt's move on Rajiv Gandhi case

Congress and AIADMK members today entered into arguments in the Lok Sabha over Tamil Nadu government's decision to remit the sentence of life imprisonment of all the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

As soon as the House met for the day, Congress members said it was an important issue relating to the assassination of a former Prime Minister and such a move should not be allowed.

AIADMK members started protesting against the Congress members' demands and later rushed to the Well for a brief while.

Amid the protests, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the issue can be taken up after Question Hour. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge to speak on the issue briefly during the Question Hour.

Kharge protested against the Tamil Nadu government's decision, terming it as "very unfortunate". If such a practice to free such convicts is allowed, then other states might also make such demands, Kharge said, adding that such a move should not be allowed for the sake of the country's unity and integrity.

He also demanded a response from Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was present in the House. Tamil Nadu government has decided to remit the sentence of life imprisonment of all the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assasination case and release them. In this regard, it has also sought the Centre's views.