Tamil Nadu government issued an order on Friday stating that Minister V Senthil Balaji would continue as a Minister without portfolio. The government gave the statement after Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi refused the state’s proposal for Balaji to continue as a Minister without portfolio.
In a press note, Tamil Nadu government said, " In consideration of his health, the portfolios of Minister Senthil Balaji, the electricity portfolio has been given to Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu and Prohibition and Excise portfolio has been given to Housing and Urban Development Minister Muthusamy."
"Senthil Balaji will continue as Minister without portfolio," it said.
Earlier, Raj Bhavan said that the Governor agreed to re-allot the portfolio of Senthil Balaji to other ministers but did not accept the continuance of Senthil Balaji as a Minister as he was facing "criminal proceedings for moral turpitude".
On Friday, Chennai Metropolitan Session Court sent Minister Senthil Balaji to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) till June 23 in connection with an alleged money laundering case. The court said that the accused could not be taken out of Kauvery Hospital and the deputy director of ED should interrogate him at the hospital after getting permission from the doctors.
The court also said that the ED should interrogate without hindering the treatment and not use third-degree cruelty. Balaji's family members should be allowed to meet him.
ED arrested Senthil Balaji for a cash-for-job scam on Wednesday.