Chennai: Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Thursday dismissed V Senthil Balaji from the council of ministers without consulting Chief Minister MK Stalin.
Balaji, who is in prison and faces serious criminal proceedings in several corruption cases, including a cash-for-jobs scandal, had been retained as a minister without portfolio by Stalin. That decision has now been overridden by the Governor’s unilateral action.
It’s a contentious move, the first of its kind in recent memory, and is likely to trigger a controversy.
“Mr Balaji is facing serious criminal proceedings in a number of cases of corruption, including taking cash for jobs and money laundering. Under these circumstances, the Governor has dismissed Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect,” the Raj Bhavan said in an official statement.
The already bitter relation between the Governor and DMK government will almost certainly take a nastier turn.
According to sources, the Tamil Nadu government is preparing to challenge the Governor’s move in the Supreme Court.
Yesterday, a court in Chennai extended the judicial custody of Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate earlier this month.
Hours before that, the Supreme Court had allowed Balaji to be moved to a private hospital, where he underwent heart surgery. He was earlier being treated at a government hospital after complaining of uneasiness and chest pain.
The tense relationship between the Governor and state government has been marked by disagreements over multiple issues, including his refusal to give assent to legislation passed by the state assembly.
The DMK last year petitioned President Droupadi Murmu, alleging unconstitutional conduct by Governor Ravi and his failure to sign a substantial number of bills passed by the Assembly.
Some other Opposition-ruled states like West Bengal, Telangana and Kerala have witnessed similar friction between the Governor and state government.
