Chennai, Feb 19 (IANS): DMK president M.Karunanidhi Wednesday hoped the central government gives its nod to release the seven convicts in former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

Responding to the state government's decision Wednesday to release the convicts, Karunanidhi said: "The centre has to give its sanction. I hope the centre would give its sanction."

However, he said the decision could have been taken in 2011 itself.

On compensation for the convicts for the delayed decision, Karunanidhi said: "Nobody has spoken to us about that. We have not thought about that. If there is such a demand then it is for the government to decide."

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa announced in the assembly her government's decision to set free all the seven convicts - V.Sriharan alias Murugan, A.G. Perarivalan alias Arivu, T. Suthendraraja alias Santhan, Nalini, Robert Payas, Jayakumar and Ravichandran.

The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting held Wednesday.

She said the state government's decision will be sent to the centre. If it does not respond within three days, the state government would release all the seven convicts.

Former prime minister Gandhi was killed in May 1991. The conspirators were convicted by a TADA court in January 1998 and were awarded death sentence, which was confirmed by the apex court May 11, 1999.