Chennai: Whether his father Rajiv Gandhi's killers should be released from jail is a decision to be taken by the government, Rahul Gandhi said today, adding: "I will not give my personal opinion on this."
The Tamil Nadu government has decided to release the seven people serving life term for the assassination of the former prime minister in 1991 by a suicide bomber, and written to the Centre asking for its opinion.
Home ministry sources say no decision has been taken yet.
Its decision comes as the state goes to polls later this year; in the state, the case is linked to Tamil sentiment and all regional parties have campaigned for the convicts' release.
The Supreme Court said in December that Tamil Nadu cannot free the convicts without consulting the Centre as the case was investigated by the CBI or Central Bureau of Investigation.
Nalini, who was earlier on death row, was granted mercy on the intervention of Rajiv Gandhi's widow and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
In its latest letter, Tamil Nadu has not given a three-day deadline to the Centre like it did the last time.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said: "They are convicted under criminal laws. Talking of their release is very unfortunate."
The Tamil Nadu government has decided to release the seven people serving life term for the assassination of the former prime minister in 1991 by a suicide bomber, and written to the Centre asking for its opinion.
Home ministry sources say no decision has been taken yet.
Its decision comes as the state goes to polls later this year; in the state, the case is linked to Tamil sentiment and all regional parties have campaigned for the convicts' release.
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The Supreme Court said in December that Tamil Nadu cannot free the convicts without consulting the Centre as the case was investigated by the CBI or Central Bureau of Investigation.
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Nalini, who was earlier on death row, was granted mercy on the intervention of Rajiv Gandhi's widow and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
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In its latest letter, Tamil Nadu has not given a three-day deadline to the Centre like it did the last time.
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Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said: "They are convicted under criminal laws. Talking of their release is very unfortunate."
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