In a sharp rebuke of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s decision to reinstate V Senthil Balaji into the state cabinet, PMK founder S Ramadoss called the move misguided, stating that while there may be no legal barriers, there is a serious lack of moral justification. Senthil Balaji, who was recently released on bail in a money laundering case, was re-inducted into the cabinet as Minister for Electricity, Prohibition, and Excise.
In a statement, Ramadoss acknowledged that the Chief Minister has the right to appoint or remove ministers, but argued that the public has a right to understand the rationale behind such decisions. “Even though the Chief Minister has the right to include or exclude anyone from the Cabinet, people in a democracy have the right to know the reasons,” the senior leader emphasized.
He went on to argue that while Senthil Balaji’s reappointment may not violate legal norms, it lacks moral legitimacy. “There are no legal constraints for appointing Senthil Balaji as a minister, but he has no moral ground to continue in the post,” Ramadoss said.
Concerns Over Investigation Integrity
Ramadoss raised questions about the impartiality of the ongoing investigations into Senthil Balaji’s conduct. While the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is probing money laundering allegations against Balaji, the Crime Branch—an agency operating under the Chief Minister’s administration—is also investigating a separate job scam involving the minister. Ramadoss questioned the potential conflict of interest, pointing out that MK Stalin’s public support of Senthil Balaji could undermine the integrity of the investigation.
“As the Chief Minister has lauded Senthil Balaji during his release, how can the police department, which reports to him, investigate the case objectively?” Ramadoss asked. He also referenced the law minister Regupathy’s congratulatory message to Senthil Balaji, raising doubts about the impartiality of the legal system in h