Tamil Nadu Governor dismisses jailed Minister V Senthil from state cabinet
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Thursday dismissed jailed minister V Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect.
Raj Bhavan issued a press release and said Governor dismissed V Senthil from his ministerial post as he was facing multiple criminal cases including taking cash for jobs.
"Minister Thiru V. Senthil Balaji is facing serious criminal proceedings in number of cases of corruption including taking cash for jobs and money laundering.... currently he is in judicial custody in a criminal case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate..Under these circumstances, Governor has dismissed him from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect," said Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan.
Governor has no right to dismiss minister: MK Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said that the governor does not have the authority to sack any minister. We will face it legally. Sources said that the Tamil Nadu government is planning to challenge the governor's decision in the Supreme Court.
Balaji is in jail. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on June 14. There are many allegations against him like taking bribes for jobs and money laundering. Despite this, CM MK Stalin retained him as a minister. Balaji had the electricity and excise departments.
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