Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi dismisses Senthilbalaji from Council of Ministers
The HinduIn an unprecedented move, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi on June 29 evening, unilaterally “dismissed with immediate effect” arrested Minister V. Senthilbalaji from the Council of Ministers, only to hurriedly backtrack on his decision late in the night. Incidentally, nearly a month ago, the Chief Minister had rejected Mr. Ravi’s demand to drop Mr. Senthilbalaji, who was then holding the Electricity and Excise and Prohibition portfolios from the Cabinet. Besides, while reallocating Mr. Senthilbalaji’s portfolios to two other senior Ministers following his arrest and hospitalisation, the Governor had “disagreed” with Mr. Stalin’s decision to retain him as a Minister without portfolio. Pointing out that Mr. Senthilbalaji was “facing serious criminal proceedings in a number of cases of corruption including taking cash for jobs and money laundering,” the communication said the Minister was in judicial custody in a criminal case and being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.