UPA is playing appeasement politics by dealing with mercy petitions: BJP

Charging the UPA government of playing politics of appeasement amid decisions on the various mercy petitions pending since years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday sought clarification behind these hurriedly taken steps.

Referring to the rejection of mercy pleas of the four associates of slain forest brigand Veerappan by President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday, five days after the execution of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, BJP spokesperson Nirmla Sitharaman said the government will have to answer about the clearances that are happening over the week.

"At one time, we hear lectures about waiting list, another time we are hearing lectures about the clearances that are happening over the week. We are clearly saying that the UPA plays its politics of appeasement. The drama of UPA continues with political appeasement, vote bank politics and these developments are as a result of it. Therefore, for the UPA will have to answer it," said Sitharaman, while addressing a press conference in New Delhi.

"Don't give lectures to the entire country saying there is a waiting list and we will do it as per the waiting list. Don't say that you will not respond to the opposition parties. The question of execution is a due process of law and the delay in it are all something the UPA has to answer," she added

Mukherjee has cleared the road to the gallows for four Veerappan's associates by rejecting their mercy petitions

The four were sentenced to death for killing 22 people, including policemen, in a landmine blast in 1993.