In a dramatic turn of events, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and a delegation of 15 ministers hastily converged at a Chennai hospital to visit V Senthil Balaji, a prominent state minister who had been admitted following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on charges of money laundering. The swift response from the chief minister and his team underscores the significance of Balaji’s arrest, given his influential role even after his return to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, having previously defected from their arch-rivals, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
Title: High-Stakes Political Drama Unfolds: Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji Arrested by Enforcement Directorate, Chief Minister Rushes to Hospital
A source within the DMK, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that Balaji holds significant sway over western Tamil Nadu, particularly in his home district of Karur, which is considered an AIADMK stronghold. Regarded as a diligent minister and dedicated party member, Balaji’s reintegration into the DMK aimed to bolster the party’s presence in the western region. The source suggested that Balaji is now being targeted due to the DMK’s resounding victory in the Coimbatore and Karur areas during the 2021 elections, a campaign that Balaji spearheaded. The insider alleged that the AIADMK, in collaboration with their ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), seeks to weaken Balaji’s influence in an attempt to regain their dominance in the region.
The allegations against Balaji trace back to his tenure as the transport minister from 2011 to 2015, a period when the AIADMK held power. It is alleged that substantial sums of money were extorted from candidates in exchange for promised employment opportunities that were never fulfilled, with many individuals claiming to have paid bribes. V Senthil Balaji has long been a loyalist of the AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
During Jayalalithaa’s corruption conviction in 2014 and subsequent resignation, Balaji garnered attention for his unwavering support, refusing to shave his beard as a symbol of solidarity. Notably, when Jayalalithaa’s appeal against the conviction was pending in 2015, Balaji orchestrated a grand spectacle, lighting over one lakh terracotta lamps at a temple and even shaving his head while carrying a fire-pot on his head upon her eventual acquittal. However, in a surprising turn of events, Jayalalithaa dismissed Balaji from his ministerial position and as the party’s Karur district secretary a few months later.
Following over 19 hours of questioning, Balaji was hospitalized and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of a state government-run hospital in Chennai, where doctors have recommended immediate bypass surgery. The arrest by the Enforcement Directorate came shortly after Chief Minister Stalin publicly criticized the BJP for employing “backdoor tactics,” alluding to allegations that the BJP utilizes investigative agencies, such as the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation, to harass political opponents.
On Tuesday, the ED conducted raids at various locations associated with Balaji, including his residences in Chennai, Karur, and Erode, as part of their ongoing investigations. His home in Chennai and his office at the state secretariat were among the premises subjected to searches. In response, Balaji’s ministerial colleague, PK Sekar Babu, accused the ED of resorting to tactics bordering on torture.
Explosive Political Turmoil Escalates: Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji Arrested Amidst Damning Allegations, Chief Minister Rushes to Hospital
Amidst these developments, DMK leader RS Bharathi raised questions about whether the ED’s actions were directly linked to a 15-minute power outage at the Chennai
airport during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit to the state on June 10. Bharathi insinuated a potential correlation between the raids and Shah’s visit, suggesting ulterior motives behind the ED’s actions. He further characterized the raids as a diversionary tactic employed by the BJP, particularly in light of the AIADMK‘s threats to sever ties.
The unfolding situation continues to generate political turmoil in Tamil Nadu, as V Senthil Balaji’s arrest and subsequent hospitalization amplify tensions between rival parties. The coming days are likely to witness intense speculation as the state’s political landscape navigates these tumultuous waters.
