BJP leader Subramanian Swamy's tweet on Monday that prime ministerial intervention could secure transfer of five Tamil fishermen, sentenced to death for drug handling by Sri Lankan court, to India raised hopes in the state.
"Namo and Rajapaksa spoke on the phone yesterday&agreed to process papers & transfer 5 fishermen convicted to Indian jail. I am vindicated," Swamy said in a tweet.
He also told a television channel that the five fishermen would be transferred to an Indian jail under an agreement between the two nations.
{{/usCountry}}He also told a television channel that the five fishermen would be transferred to an Indian jail under an agreement between the two nations.
{{/usCountry}}Swamy said reliable sources have told him that Prime Minister Narendra Modi managed to convince Sri Lankan president of the Indian sensitivities but had assured him of utmost regard for Sri Lankan democracy and legal system.
All the political parties in Tamil Nadu are in one voice in the plight of the five fishermen and want their release at the earliest.
Relatives of the fishermen had also called on top BJP leader and union minister Nitin Gdkari when he visited Rameswaram last week.
This has become a highly emotional issue in Tamil Nadu which has sparked off protests by people from all walks of life.
On Monday, women lawyers in Chennai held a protest demonstration demanding the release of the five condemned fishermen.