Calcutta, July 21: Former Trinamul MP Kabir Suman today took a "big risk" and requested Mamata Banerjee at the July 21 rally to ensure that "political prisoners" languishing in jail be released.

"Today I want to take a big risk. I know I can make this plea before the Almighty or Mamata Banerjee. I know my request to Mamata might not be welcomed but still I believe that she will listen to my plea," Suman said while addressing the gathering as the chief minister and her cabinet colleagues looked on.

"Dear chief minister and leader of the masses, please think about releasing the political prisoners," he added.

The singer-politician, who won the Jadavpur Lok Sabha seat in 2009, has had testy ties with the party since 2010.

In the run-up to the 2011 Assembly elections, Mamata had promised to take up the issue of the release of political prisoners.

At the Trinamul government's first cabinet meeting on May 20, 2011, the issue had been discussed threadbare in the chief minister's presence.

"It had been decided that a review committee would be formed to examine the cases of political prisoners," a home department official said.

After the meeting, Mamata had told reporters: "Many people were put behind bars out of revenge. This panel will review the matter, case by case."

Ranjit Sur, the vice-chairman of the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR), said tonight that the review committee had submitted its report to the government after its term was extended thrice.

"But nothing has progressed relating to the release of political prisoners," Sur said, adding that nearly 125 political prisoners were "still languishing in various jails".

At today's rally, Suman put the party in a spot of bother by referring to another contentious issue.

Referring to former transport minister Madan Mitra, in jail in connection with the Saradha scam, Suman said: "I am missing Madan Mitra very much today in this gathering. He is a very good and nice man. I sincerely pray for his release."