Gopal, Rajni to meet CM Krishna

Gopal is also carrying an audio cassette from Rajkumar.

“Like many people who are concerned about the release of Rajkumar and three others, I am also concerned about securing their release,” Rajnikant said, when asked about the reason for his visit to Bangalore.

Rajnikant had recently met Rajkumar’s family members. Karnataka IG K R Srinivasan, deputed by the stategovernment to co-ordinate with Tamil Nadu government on the kidnap issue, also accompanied them.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi will meet his Karnataka counterpart S M Krishna at Bangalore on Friday to decide on the next course of action in the issue.

Karunanidhi told reporters here it was only after his meeting that a decision could be taken on whether journalist-emissary R R Gopal would be asked to venture into the forests again to negotiate with outlaw Veerappan.

The Chief Minister, however, ruled out any alternative arrangements to handle the situation.

Karunanidhi was reacting to questions regarding the situation arising out of Gopal’s unsuccessful third mission to the jungles to secure the release of Rajkumar and three others held hostage by the brigand since July 30.

Karunanidhi said the main problem was due to the Supreme Court stay order on the release of prisoners as demanded by Veerappan. Gopal had waited for some days in the hope of court proceedings coming to an early end but because of the delay he had decided to return to the city.