Tamil Nadu chief minister O Pannerselvam on Friday condemned political parties in the state for taking credit for securing the release of five death row fishermen from a Sri Lankan prison.

The chief minister claimed that the relentless efforts of the AIADMK government resulted in the release of the fishermen.

“The AIADMK and the AIADMK government is committed to protect the livelihood of fishermen and ensuring their safety... Fishermen of Tamil Nadu know who their true friend is,” the chief minister said in an official statement.

“A few political leaders taking credit for the release amounts to belittling the fishing community. What have they done in the last three years to secure the fishermen?” he wondered.

Armed with his executive powers, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday commuted the death sentence of five fishermen, Emerson, Augustus, Wilson, Prasath and Langlet, all hailing from Thangachimadam in Rameswaram. The Colombo high court had sentenced them to death for smuggling narcotics.

Panneerselvam recalled various initiatives taken by AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa and the AIADMK government in the past to secure the safe release of fishermen, including legally confronting the charges framed against them by Sri Lankan authorities.

The state had sanctioned Rs 20 lakh towards legal expenses, upon request from the Indian high commission, to pursue an appeal at a higher court against the death sentence, he said.

“Since it was an international issue, the Tamil Nadu government could not have contacted directly. Only the external affairs ministry could initiate action. Puratchithalaivi Amma (Jayalalithaa) and the Tamil Nadu government were urging the Centre to discharge its moral responsibility,” he said, while expressing happiness over the Centre’s intervention in the issue.

On Thursday, Tamil Nadu government offered a financial aid of Rs 3 lakh to each of the five fishermen. In all, the state has offered Rs 47.45 lakh to these fishermen, including a financial aid of Rs 4.49 lakh to each family, during the last three years. - TOI