TN Guv breaches new red line, sacks Minister; order ‘on hold’ after outrage

Giving reasons for dismissing Balaji with immediate effect, the Raj Bhavan said in a statement, “There are reasonable apprehensions that continuation of Thiru V. Senthil Balaji in the Council of Ministers will adversely impact the due process of law including fair investigation that may eventually lead to breakdown of the Constitutional machinery in the State.”

“Minister V Senthil Balaji is facing serious criminal proceedings in a number of cases of corruption including taking cash for jobs and money laundering…Under these circumstances, Governor has dismissed him from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect,” Tamil Nadu Raj… pic.twitter.com/mKRXNvNnbb

— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2023

The Governor’s action prompted a swift response from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. When asked about the dismissal, Stalin told reporters, “He (the Governor) doesn’t have those powers (to dismiss the minister). We will face this legally.”

M Appavu, Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, said individuals occupying constitutional offices must uphold and abide by the constitution’s principles instead of being swayed by external directives. “The issuance of such an order by the Governor is tantamount to self-ridicule,” Appavu said. On the validity of the Governor’s order, he said, “It cannot be deemed constitutional nor is it obliged to be executed.”

Balaji’s continuation in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet has rankled the Governor for almost a month. Ravi had way back on May 31 wrote to Stalin suggesting he drop the Minister, to which Stalin replied in detail underlining that the Governor had no authority in such matters. A day after Balaji’s arrest, Chief Minister Stalin wrote on June 15 to the Governor recommending reallocation of his portfolios to two other ministers (Balaji had held the charge of two ministries – Electricity and Non-Conventional Energy Development, and Prohibition and Excise, Molasses). Governor Ravi agreed the next day to reallocate the portfolios as sought by Stalin, but was still against Balaji’s continuation as a member of the Council of Ministers. Stalin decided to retain him as a ‘Minister without portfolio’.

Dismissing Balaji Thursday, the Raj Bhavan said the minister “is facing serious criminal proceedings in a number of cases of corruption including taking cash for jobs and money laundering”. “Abusing his position as a Minister, he has been influencing the investigation and obstructing the due process of law and justice,” it said. Further, the Governor’s office said some more criminal cases against him (Balaji) under Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code are being investigated by the State Police.

As the future of the strained relationship between the DMK government and the Governor remains uncertain, top DMK leaders said the conflict had the potential to deeply affect political dynamics in the state.

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Balaji on June 14 after an exhaustive 18-hour search at his official residence and office in Chennai. Following the midnight arrest, Balaji complained of chest pain and was swiftly rushed to a city hospital. Medical examinations revealed a severe heart condition necessitating immediate bypass surgery. His judicial custody has been extended till July 12.

The Madras High Court is currently hearing a case based on a petition by Balaji’s wife who has challenged ED’s authority to arrest her husband without a pre-arrest notice and the subsequent right to seek his custody.