Sack Senthil Balaji from cabinet post: BJP to Stalin after Supreme Court rap

Chennai: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu opened an attack against MK Stalin-led state government for reinstating V Senthil Balaji as minister after getting bail from the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed surprise at Balaji's quick re-appointment saying: "We grant you bail, next day you become a minister!"

The BJP leader, in a post on X, suggested that Stalin, acting as a "responsible chief minister", should have waited for Balaji to resolve his legal matters before considering his ministerial appointment.

He noted that Balaji's "over 400 days" of imprisonment was linked to concerns about potential witness interference. Thirupathy emphasised that Stalin must explain the rationale behind Balaji's reappointment.

He urged the chief minister to acknowledge the Supreme Court's observations and promptly remove Balaji from the cabinet, stating this was the appropriate course of action for a responsible leader.

Thirupathy highlighted Stalin's previous stance on Balaji from five years ago, when Balaji wasn't in the DMK, recalling how Stalin had criticised him for corruption and demanded action.

The Supreme Court on Monday voiced concerns about Balaji's reinstatement shortly after receiving bail in the money laundering case related to the cash-for-job scam. The court agreed to examine concerns about witness independence.

"We granted you bail and days after you go and become minister. Anybody will be bound to be under the impression that now with your position as a senior cabinet minister, witnesses will be under pressure. What is this going on?" the Supreme Court bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih questioned senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who represented Balaji.