Jayalalitha decision guided solely by political considerations: Congress

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was under fire from an incensed Congress over the decision for early release of Rajiv Gandhi's killers which it dubbed as "guided solely by political considerations" and fraught with dangerous consequences.

"This decision of the Tamil Nadu government, which is guided solely by political considerations to suit sectarian vested interests is not only condemnable but is also against the very basic spirit of rule of law and natural justice," party general secretary Ajay Maken said.

He also warned that the decision would by all means only serve as a precedent for other chief ministers or constitutional functionaries to take decisions beyond the law - decisions that are politically motivated and irresponsible.

"By doing so the government of Tamil Nadu has not only denied basic justice to the families of all those who lost their dear ones in the ghastly attack carried out by the convicted assassins but has also shaken the faith of every law abiding, peace loving and patriotic Indian who believes in the rule of law. It raises grave questions against our collective national resolve to fight and defeat terrorism of any kind," Maken said.

Maintaining that Congress believes that those who assassinated Gandhi should not be given any relief, the AICC Communication Department Chairman also took a swipe at BJP for "not uttering even a word" on the issue.

"The BJP was baying for the blood of Afzal Guru and we are surprised that when it comes to other assassins, they don't even utter a word. It would be in the propriety of things that the BJP elucidates its view on the issue has something to answer to," the Congress general secretary said.

Slamming AIADMK government's decision as "irresponsible, perverse and populist", AICC spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said, "Any perverse decision is also liable for judicial scrutiny" but remained evasive when asked whether Congress will ask Centre to approach court in this matter.

"... Such decisions announced in such casual fashion and cavalier manner need to be condemned irrespective of regional, populist and other considerations. This decision fails to take into account the scourge of terrorism and the spirit of Constitution," he said replying to questions at the AICC briefing.