DMK welcomes SC order commuting death sentence

DMK today welcomed Supreme Court commuting the death sentence of four aides of forest brigand Veerappan.
"I welcome it," said DMK Treasurer and party chief M Karunanidhi's son M K Stalin when reporters asked him about the apex court ruling.
The Supreme Court has given life term to 15 death row convicts, including the four aides of the dreaded sandalwood smuggler Veerappan--Simon, Bilavendiran, Madaiah and Gnanapakash.
Asked if DMK would seek Congress' support for its candidate Tiruchy N Siva for the February 7 Rajya Sabha elections from the state, he said party chief Karunanidhi had discussed the victory prospects with all and then declared the DMK candidate.

"Our victory prospects are bright," he said.
Congress had backed DMK candidate Kanimozhi in the Rajya Sabha elections last year though both had parted ways earlier over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.
Earlier this month, senior Congress leader and Union Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad made a surprise call on Karunanidhi at the latter's residence, triggering speculations about revival of tie-up between the two parties.