Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji has resigned eight months after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with a cash-for-job case, reports said.
Balaji was arrested by the agency on June 14 last year for the alleged cash-for jobs-scam when he was the transport minister in the earlier AIADMK regime.
His resignation comes amid the legal imbroglio surrounding him even though Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin earlier retained him in the cabinet.
Senthil Balaji's bail plea will be heard by the Madras High Court in two days and prior to this, he was rejected by the lower courts.
A statement from Raj Bhavan said that Governor RN Ravi, previously against Balaji's Cabinet tenure, has now endorsed Stalin's decision.
Following a letter from the CM dated February 12, advocating for the acceptance of the jailed DMK leader's resignation, the Governor has ratified the suggestion, leading to Thiru V Senthil Balaji stepping down from the Council of Ministers.
Balaji, a prominent DMK figure from Karur, was arrested on June 14, 2023, by the Enforcement Directorate for involvement in a cash-for-jobs scandal during his time as Transport Minister in a prior AIADMK administration. He currently remains lodged in the Puzhal prison, with his numerous bail pleas rejected by the courts.
Subsequent to his arrest last year, Balaji's portfolios including Electricity, Non-Conventional Energy Development, and Prohibition and Excise, Molasses were reassigned within the Stalin-led Cabinet.
In a press release, Tamil Nadu Secretary to Governor said, "Based on the letter of Chief Minister, dated 12.2.2024, recommending acceptance of the resignation of V.Senthilbalaji, Minister, from the Tamil Nadu Council of Ministers, Governor has approved the recommendation and accepted the resignation of V.Senthilbalaji, Minister, from the Tamil Nadu Council of Ministers."
Prior to this, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted at the jailed former minister's residence on Thursday. This was the second raid at his family residence in Karur the first raid on June 13, 2023, a day before he was arrested.