Tamil Nadu : Governor RN Ravi Sparks Controversy ; Dismisses V Senthil Balaji From Cabinet ; Furious Chief Minister MK Stalin Vows To Challenge Legally

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In yet another political face- off between Governor and the state, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has dismissed Minister V Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers days after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a cash-for-jobs scam, a move that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said the government would challenge legally.

In an official release, Raj Bhavan said, “There are reasonable apprehensions that the continuation of V Senthil Balaji in the Council of Ministers will adversely impact the due process of law, including fair investigation that may eventually lead to the breakdown of Constitutional machinery in the State.” Senthil Balaji “is facing serious criminal proceedings in a number of cases of corruption, including taking cash for jobs and money laundering. Abusing his position as a minister, he has been influencing the investigation and obstructing the due process of law and justice,” the release added.

Reacting to the development, Chief Minister MK Stalin said Governor Ravi has no authority to dismiss a minister from the Cabinet. The government will face the issue legally, he told reporters.

#WATCH | “The Governor doesn’t have rights, we will face this legally,” says Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on the dismissal of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji by Governor RN Ravi https://t.co/ba818uQX8t pic.twitter.com/B4NXeYM3kI

— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2023

Balaji is currently in judicial custody in a criminal case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. A few other criminal cases against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC are being investigated by the state police.

Reacting to the  TN Governor’s move, Senior Congress leader and former I&B Minister Manish Tewari Tweeted, Article 164 of COI ”The chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister…” Since Ministers are appointed on advice of CM they can be removed ONLY on advice of CM

Unconstitutional Gov

Article 164 of COI”The chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister…”

Since Ministers are appointed on advice of CM they can be removed ONLY on advice of CM

Unconstitutional Gov https://t.co/fyBZIlwwhX

— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) June 29, 2023