The bomb planted by, Chidambaram, a member of "Tamizhar Pasarai", on September 22, 1990 was noticed by an alert head constable, Rajendran, and defused minutes before the meeting which was also attended by then Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.
Delivering the verdict in the case, First Additional Sessions Judge K Dakshinamurthy sentenced 44-year old Chidambaram to life imprisonment under the TADA Act and 10 years rigorous imprisonment for criminal conspiracy under section 120-B of IPC (conspiracy) read with section 5 of 'Explosive Substances Act'.
"If such kind of activities are allowed it will pose a serious threat to the Sovereignty of India and will also jeopardise the safety of the public," the Judge observed.
The object of the organisation to which the accused was attached aimed at seceding Tamil Nadu from the Union of India and to achieve this end the act had been committed, he said.
The sentences would run concurrently, the Judge said.