Tamil Nadu Guv dismisses jailed minister V Senthil Balaji without consulting CM MK Stalin

Balaji, who is in jail and faces serious criminal proceedings in several corruption cases including a cash-for-jobs scandal, was retained as a minister without portfolio by Stalin.

However, with the Governor's unilateral decision now, Balaji will now lose his ministerial position.

In an official statement, the Raj Bhavan said Balaji "is facing serious criminal proceedings in several cases of corruption, including taking cash for jobs and money laundering."

"Under these circumstances, the Governor has dismissed Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect," it said.

The DMK government plans to challenge the move in the Supreme Court, media reports said.

A court in Chennai on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate earlier this month. He will be in judicial custody until July 12.

Hours before that, the Supreme Court had allowed him to be moved to a private hospital, where he underwent heart surgery. Before that, he was being treated at a government hospital for complaints of uneasiness and chest pain.

The ED had moved the Supreme Court against a Madras High Court order that had also allowed Balaji to be shifted.

The DMK government and the Governor's office have been at loggerheads for months leading to disagreements over several issues, most notably, the Governor's refusal to assent to legislation passed by the state assembly.

The DMK had last year petitioned President Droupadi Murmu, alleging unconstitutional conduct by Governor Ravi and his failure to sign a substantial number of bills passed by the Assembly.