AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa on Friday demanded that the DMK government drop its proposal to release life convicts coinciding with the ongoing world classical Tamil conference as it would not only be "undemocratic" but also amount to disrespecting the court.
Her comments came following reports that the government was mulling releasing the convicts.
In 2008, the government had set free over 1000 prisoners to mark the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C N Annadurai, against which Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy had filed a petition.
Jayalalithaa said the release of 1,405 prisoners two years back was against the policy of Annadurai.
"If the DMK Government goes ahead with its plan, it will pave way for an increase in crime in the state," she said.
The AIADMK leader feared that the released prisoners would indulge in malpractices in the coming Assembly polls.