Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s recent visit to a Chennai hospital, where minister V Senthil Balaji is being treated after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), has sparked political jibes from the opposition party AIADMK. Former CM Edappadi Palaniswami claimed that Stalin’s visit was driven by fear, suggesting that Balaji might reveal information that could harm Stalin’s political career. These allegations have intensified the ongoing political turmoil in the state.
The AIADMK’s accusations were echoed by K Annamalai, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) state unit boss, who went on to claim that Stalin received a kickback of ₹200 crore for a Metro contract. Annamalai’s remarks pointed to the perceived fear of Stalin, which he believes prompted the Chief Minister to block the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from operating in the state without his government’s permission.
The arrest of V Senthil Balaji, the electricity and excise minister, by the Enforcement Directorate on charges of money laundering has escalated the political tension. Balaji, after 18 hours of interrogation, was taken to a government hospital and subsequently diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease. He has been advised to undergo Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery. The minister’s arrest and health condition have sparked a heated political debate in the state, particularly with the AIADMK and BJP eager to capitalize on the situation ahead of the upcoming general election.
The arrest of Balaji is related to an alleged cash-for-jobs scam that allegedly took place during his tenure as the transport minister under the AIADMK government led by the late J Jayalalithaa. The Income Tax department conducted an extensive raid on locations associated with the minister and his supporters two weeks prior to his arrest. The arrest comes after the Supreme Court overruled a 2022 Madras High Court order that had dismissed proceedings against Senthil Balaji.
In response to Balaji’s claims of mental and physical torture by ED officials, Chief Minister Stalin launched a scathing attack on the AIADMK and the BJP. Stalin and other opposition parties have accused the BJP of using central investigative agencies, such as the ED, to target rival leaders. Stalin warned his opponents not to underestimate the DMK party’s potential for retaliation, emphasizing that they are capable of engaging in all kinds of politics.
The Chief Minister further criticized the BJP, alleging that since coming to power, the ED has conducted over 3,000 raids against those who oppose the ruling party. He argued that only a minuscule percentage of the cases actually result in proven charges. Stalin’s remarks, along with similar criticisms from the Congress, AAP, and TMC, have portrayed the ED’s actions as political vendetta and raised concerns about the misuse of investigative agencies for political gains.
The political landscape in Tamil Nadu has become increasingly contentious following the arrest of V Senthil Balaji and the subsequent allegations made by the AIADMK and BJP against Chief Minister MK Stalin. As the opposition seeks to capitalize on the situation, the ED’s actions have been labeled as politically motivated. The ongoing accusations and counter-accusations highlight the deep-rooted political rivalries in the state, setting the stage for a highly charged political climate in the run-up to the upcoming general election.