Senthil Balaji Arrested: Political rhetoric continues over the arrest of Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji. From DMK to Congress and Aam Aadmi Party have opposed the action of Enforcement Directorate. Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge has said that this is nothing but political harassment.
Congress President Kharge condemned the late night arrest of Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Shri V. Senthil Balaji by ED. This is nothing but political persecution and vendetta by the Modi government against those who oppose it. Kharge said in a press statement issued by the Congress that the opposition will not be intimidated by such brazen steps.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has condemned the late-night arrest of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji by the Enforcement Directorate
“This is nothing but political harassment and vendetta by the Modi govt against those opposed to it. None of us in the Opposition will be… pic.twitter.com/4Jz189eqwS
– Advertisement –— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2023
Meanwhile, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said these raids by central agencies are only for ‘optics’ and do not help in gathering ‘evidence’. At the same time, All India Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said that it is completely wrong how the Enforcement Directorate is being misused.
We strongly condemn the late night arrest of Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji by the Enforcement Directorate. The manner in which he was arrested despite his health condition is inhumane and raises serious concerns about the working methods of the ED. This arrest is… pic.twitter.com/R2mPVxS26u
— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2023
The Aam Aadmi Party has also condemned Balaji’s arrest. On behalf of the Aam Aadmi Party, it has been said that we strongly condemn the late night arrest of Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji by the Enforcement Directorate. The manner in which he was arrested despite his health condition is inhumane and raises serious concerns over the working of the ED.
On behalf of AAP, it was said that this arrest is part of the continuous attack on India’s opposition and it undermines the foundation of our democracy. We stand in solidarity with Balaji and all opposition leaders who have been victims of undemocratic targeting by the BJP.
DMK’s lawyer gave this information to the Madras High Court
DMK lawyer and MP NR Elango told the Madras High Court that Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji has been taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate. “Senthil was not informed about the arrest, guidelines were not followed,” Elango told the high court. At the same time, the court says that it will look into the matter after completion of formalities regarding the number of habeas corpus petitions.
Tamil Nadu | DMK advocate and MP NR Elango mentions before Madras High Court that Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji has been taken into custody by Enforcement Directorate. Elango says before HC, “The intimation of Senthil’s arrest was not furnished, guidelines not followed.”…
— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2023
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin met state minister V Senthil Balaji admitted in Omandurar Government Hospital. On Balaji’s arrest, Chief Minister MK Stalin said they kept pressuring him till 2 am and then took him to the hospital. Now he is admitted in ICU. Why did they torture him even after he said that he would cooperate with the investigation? We can clearly see the wrong intentions of those who sent these officers. He acted in an inhuman manner. DMK will not be scared by this kind of threat from BJP. People will teach them a lesson in 2024.
Chief Minister Stalin and other ministers met
Let us tell you that Balaji, who complained of chest pain, was taken to Omandurar Government Hospital in Chennai and admitted there this morning. Tamil Nadu MK Stalin met the minister in the hospital. Earlier, Tamil Nadu state ministers I Periyasamy and R Gandhi had also reached the hospital to meet Balaji.
Till 2 am, they kept pressuring him and then took him to the hospital. Now he’s admitted to ICU. Even after he said that he will cooperate in the investigation, why did they torture him? We can clearly see the wrong intentions of those who sent these officials. They acted in an… https://t.co/O5A732wQaL
— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2023
Tamil Nadu minister Ponmudi termed the ED’s action as “vendetta” and claimed that the Center was doing wrong against states that have non-BJP governments. Ponmudi said, “It is an act of revenge. The central government is doing many wrong things against those states which have non-BJP government like West Bengal, Delhi and now Tamil Nadu.”
Meanwhile, a team of Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed at Omandurar Government Medical College. The probe agency questioned the DMK leader on Tuesday after raiding his premises. Heavy drama was seen outside the hospital after the DMK leader was brought to the hospital. He could be seen writhing in pain lying in the car as his supporters gathered there to protest the ED action.
ED officials on Tuesday raided Balaji’s Karur residence and his office at the state secretariat in an alleged money laundering case. Apart from this, raids were also conducted at the premises of his brother and a close aide in Karur. Balaji is the Minister of Power, Prohibition and Excise in the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government.
#WATCH | Karur, Tamil Nadu: Heavy security deployment near Karur bus stand after ED has taken Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji into custody pic.twitter.com/M3VL8yb7U9
— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2023
BJP leader calls Balaji’s hospitalization a drama
Reacting to the hospitalization of Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji after being taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate, State BJP Vice President Narayanan Tirupati termed it as a complete drama. Attacking the DMK minister, he said, “He is a minister, and it is his duty to cooperate with the investigation. He is an accused minister in a case. They have taken money from common people for government jobs. He cannot take the law.”
Narayanan Thirupati also demanded Chief Minister MK Stalin to sack him from the government. Said that I demand Chief Minister MK Stalin to immediately sack Senthil Balaji from his ministry. If he does not do this, Stalin’s government will be a laughing stock. He should also be ordered to cooperate with the investigation by the central agencies so that justice is served.”
