‘You are surrounded by enemies if..,’ Tamil Nadu governor says amid Balaji dismissal row
2 min read 01 Jul 2023, 12:27 PM ISTGovernor of Tamil Nadu dismisses minister Senthil Balaji accused in money laundering case without consulting chief minister, sparking criticism.
PremiumSenthil Bajali dismissal row, Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi on Saturday said that if you are weak you are surrounded by enemies, if you are strong you have friends.
Speaking at a public gathering, RN Ravi said, “If you are weak you are surrounded by enemies, if you are strong you have friends. That is the destiny of Bharat. What the Prime Minister has set...again a divine mandate is his appearance, he is such a person who understands what is Bharat and the power of its people...He has set a course that he calls 'Amrit Kaal'. In the next 25 years, this country must be capable of spreading the light of Sanatana Dharma to the whole world."
Earlier, the governor dismissed minister Senthil Balaji, accused in a money laundering case, “with immediate effect" from the state cabinet without consulting the chief minister. Balaji is “abusing his position as a minister, he has been influencing, the investigation and obstructing the due process of law and justice," the statement read.
Meanwhile, In a strongly worded response to Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi's correspondence regarding the dismissal of Minister V Senthil Balaji, Chief Minister MK Stalin has criticized the letters, stating that they demonstrate a complete disregard for the Constitution and reflect the governor's hasty actions.
Meanwhile, Stalin criticized the governor for taking action against Minister Senthil Balaji while remaining silent for several months regarding his government's appeals for approvals to investigate and prosecute former ministers and public servants involved in offences during the previous AIADMK government.
Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case on June 14, is in judicial custody till July 12. He has been hospitalised after being arrested in an alleged cash-for-jobs case dating back to 2014 when he was the transport minister under the previous AIADMK government. He joined the DMK in 2018.
Balaji was a minister without portfolio and those handled by him were reallocated to his cabinet colleagues Thangam Thennarasu and S Muthusamy. The DMK leader's arrest had triggered a flashpoint in the Tamil Nadu governor vs govt tussle.
(With inputs from ANI)
